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PROJECT SUMMARY: ANALYSIS OF EXPOSURE, DOSE AND RISK ASSOCIATED WITH TAP WATER CONTAMINATED WITH CHLOROFORM
Citation:
Janke, R., B. Gray, E. Stebel, AND E. Womack. PROJECT SUMMARY: ANALYSIS OF EXPOSURE, DOSE AND RISK ASSOCIATED WITH TAP WATER CONTAMINATED WITH CHLOROFORM. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/S-20/254, 2020.
Impact/Purpose:
Many municipal water supply systems use chlorine for primary disinfection or residual protection for drinking water. Because it is difficult to completely remove organics from the drinking water, organic carbon reacts with residual chlorine to create disinfection by-products. As organic matter and chlorine react, trihalomethanes (THMs) are formed, one of which being chloroform. This is of concern due to the high volatility of chloroform and the carcinogenic risk that it potentially presents to individuals from inhaling chloroform. The most significant exposure pathway is believed to be showering (Davis et al. 2016). Here, we analyze water concentrations and estimate air concentrations. We also analyze potential exposures, doses, and risk from the inhalation of chloroform during showering. We perform these analyses for a range of chloroform tap water concentrations that were observed in the Belich Addition (Mahnomen) Public Water System in November 2019. The Mahnomen Public Water System is part of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Minnesota.
Description:
Many municipal water supply systems use chlorine for primary disinfection or residual protection for drinking water. Because it is difficult to completely remove organics from the drinking water, organic carbon reacts with residual chlorine to create disinfection by-products. As organic matter and chlorine react, trihalomethanes (THMs) are formed, one of which being chloroform. This is of concern due to the high volatility of chloroform and the carcinogenic risk that it potentially presents to individuals from inhaling chloroform. The most significant exposure pathway is believed to be showering (Davis et al. 2016). Here, we analyze water concentrations and estimate air concentrations. We also analyze potential exposures, doses, and risk from the inhalation of chloroform during showering. We perform these analyses for a range of chloroform tap water concentrations that were observed in the Belich Addition (Mahnomen) Public Water System in November 2019. The Mahnomen Public Water System is part of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Minnesota.