Optimization of methods for the determination of DBPs

Chloroform and other bromochlorotrihalomethanes were first identified as disinfection
byproducts (DBPs) in chlorinated water in 1970s. Since then, many other DBPs have
been identified such as haloacetonitriles, haloacetaldehydes, cyanogen halides,
aldehydes, ketoacids, chlorite, bromate and other organic and inorganic compounds. Due
to their occurrence and potential health risks, the U.S.EPA promulgated the Stage I
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts (D-DBP) Rule in 1998. To assist water utilities
monitoring DBPs in their finished water, the U.S. EPA published a list of approved
analytical methods under the D-DBP Rule. In 1996, the U.S. EPA also promulgated the
Information Collection Rule (ICR) to collect brackground information on DBPs and
pathogens for the Stage II D-DBP-Rule. Actually 500 DBPs are known but few have been
investigated for their quantitative occurrence and health effects. Due to the fact that their
identification and quantitation have become extremely important to drinking water
companies in order to reduce or remove their presence, other analytical methods different
from those proposed by U.S. EPA have been optimized and are now commented in this
article.