Nitrosamines: A review of formation pathways, precursors, control, and occurrence in drinking water

• Main Authors: Meadows Maxwell, Pradhanang Soni M., Boving Thomas B., Hadjeres Hichem
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: EDP Sciences 2019-01-01
• Series: MATEC Web of Conferences
• Online Access: https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2019/29/matecconf_icsbe2019_05003.pdf

Nitrogenous disinfection by-products (N-DBPs) are emerging by-products that may be present in drinking water as by-products of water treatment plant (WTP) operations. Nitrosamines are N-DBPs that form by reaction of chloramine with certain organic nitrogen-containing compounds; however, the exact processes and environments in which nitrosamines form are still not well understood. Organic nitrogen precursors react within the WTP and distribution system, forming the toxic by-products during chloramination, or while in distribution. To best control the formation potential of nitrosamines, precursors must be removed from source water prior to chloramine disinfection. These nitrosamine forming precursors are abundant in source waters worldwide, presenting a need for further study of the mechanisms that reduce the formation potential of nitrosamines in chloramination WTPs.