Relative importance of N-nitrosodimethylamine compared to total N-nitrosamines in drinking waters. 2013

Ning Dai, and William A Mitch
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, Mason Lab 313b, 9 Hillhouse Ave., New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States.

A U.S.-wide occurrence survey conducted as part of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 2 found that N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) was present in 34% of chloraminated drinking water samples but was the most prevalent of the six N-nitrosamines evaluated using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 521. If the U.S. EPA considers limiting exposures to N-nitrosamines as a group, a critical question is whether NDMA is the most prevalent N-nitrosamine or whether significant concentrations occur for N-nitrosamines other than those captured by EPA Method 521. A total N-nitrosamine assay was developed and applied to 36 drinking water plant effluents or distribution system samples from 11 utilities, including 9 utilities that practiced chloramination for secondary disinfection. Concurrent application of EPA Method 521 indicated that NDMA was the most prevalent of the Method 521 N-nitrosamines yet accounted for ∼5% of the total N-nitrosamine pool on a median basis. Among eight plant influent waters, NDMA was detected once, while total N-nitrosamines were detected in five samples, suggesting the importance of source water protection. Similar to NDMA, total N-nitrosamine concentrations in source waters increased after chloramination. Chloramines were applied to organic precursors serving as models for pristine natural organic matter, algal exudate, wastewater effluent, and polyDADMAC quaternary amine-based coagulation polymers. While high yields of NDMA were restricted to the wastewater effluent and polyDADMAC, high yields of total N-nitrosamines were observed from the algal exudate, the wastewater effluent, and polyDADMAC. The results suggest that N-nitrosamines as a class may be more prevalent than suggested by occurrence surveys conducted using EPA Method 521.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009602 Nitrosamines A class of compounds that contain a -NH2 and a -NO radical. Many members of this group have carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. Nitrosamine
D002700 Chloramines Inorganic derivatives of ammonia by substitution of one or more hydrogen atoms with chlorine atoms or organic compounds with the general formulas R2NCl and RNCl2 (where R is an organic group). Chloroamines
D004128 Dimethylnitrosamine A nitrosamine derivative with alkylating, carcinogenic, and mutagenic properties. It causes serious liver damage and is a hepatocarcinogen in rodents. Nitrosodimethylamine,N-Nitrosodimethylamine,NDMA Nitrosodimethylamine,N Nitrosodimethylamine,Nitrosodimethylamine, NDMA
D004203 Disinfection Rendering pathogens harmless through the use of heat, antiseptics, antibacterial agents, etc.
D004777 Environment The external elements and conditions which surround, influence, and affect the life and development of an organism or population. Environmental Impact,Environmental Impacts,Impact, Environmental,Impacts, Environmental,Environments
D000586 Amination The creation of an amine. It can be produced by the addition of an amino group to an organic compound or reduction of a nitro group. Aminations
D014874 Water Pollutants, Chemical Chemical compounds which pollute the water of rivers, streams, lakes, the sea, reservoirs, or other bodies of water. Chemical Water Pollutants,Landfill Leachate,Leachate, Landfill,Pollutants, Chemical Water
D060766 Drinking Water Water that is intended to be ingested. Bottled Water,Potable Water,Water, Bottled,Water, Drinking,Water, Potable

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