Occurrence of N-nitrosamines in Alberta public drinking-water distribution systems

• DOI: 10.1139/s06-031
• Publication Date: 2007-05-31T13:20:10Z
• Authors: Jeffrey W.A. Char...; Jessica M Boyd; Kenneth L Froese; Steve E Hrudey
• Keywords: Chloramination; N-Nitrosodimethylamine; Nitrosamine

Since the 1974 discovery of trihalomethanes as disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water, regulatory and public health focus has been primarily directed at halogenated compounds, even though it is well established that chlorination chloramination also produce non-halogenated DBPs. Specific DBPs could reasonably explain correlation some adverse outcomes with consumption disinfected water a number epidemiologic studies have yet to be identified. We therefore explored an emerging class DBPs, N-nitrosamines, which warrant consideration given concerns regarding possible correlations bladder cancer exposure chlorinated water. developed dual media (Ambersorb ® 572 LiChrolut EN), off-line, solid-phase extraction method utilized modified commercially-available manifold combined our previous GC–MS ammonia positive chemical ionization (PCI) quantitative for analyzing N-nitrosamines surveyed 20 Alberta municipal drinking-water distribution systems presence N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) seven other N-nitrosamine species. Analytical results revealed occurrence NDMA (up 100 ng/L) two (N-nitrosopyrrolidine N-nitrosomorpholine) within select supplies.Key words: Alberta, chloramination, by-products, system, NDMA, health, survey.