The relationship between MX [3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone], routinely monitored trihalomethanes, and other characteristics in drinking water in a long-term survey
File(s)Final Manuscript_Revised_FV_15032015.docx (1.01 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
MX (3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone) is a drinking water disinfection byproduct (DBP). It is a potent mutagen and is of concern to public health. Data on MX levels in drinking water, especially in the UK, are limited. Our aim was to investigate factors associated with variability of MX concentrations at the tap, and to evaluate if routinely measured trihalomethanes (THMs) are an appropriate proxy measure for MX. We conducted quarterly water sampling at consumers’ taps in eight water supply zones in and around Bradford, UK, between 2007 and 2010. We collected 79 samples which were analyzed for MX using GC-HRMS. Other parameters such as pH, temperature, UV-absorbance and free chlorine were measured concurrently, and total THMs were modeled from regulatory monitoring data. To our knowledge this is the longest MX measurement survey undertaken to date. Concentrations of MX varied between 8.9 and 45.5 ng/L with a median of 21.3 ng/L. MX demonstrated clear seasonality with concentrations peaking in late summer/early fall. Multivariate regression showed that MX levels were associated with total trihalomethanes, UV-absorbance and pH. However, the relationship between TTHM and MX may not be sufficiently consistent across time and location for TTHM to be used as a proxy measure for MX in exposure assessment.
Date Issued
2015-05-18
Date Acceptance
2015-03-24
Citation
Environmental Science & Technology, 2015, 49 (11), pp.6485-6493
ISSN
1520-5851
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
6485
End Page
6493
Journal / Book Title
Environmental Science & Technology
Volume
49
Issue
11
Copyright Statement
This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Environmental Science and Technology, © American Chemical Society 2015, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es5062006
Sponsor
Commission of the European Communities
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Grant Number
FOOD-CT-2006-036224
NE/E008844/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Engineering, Environmental
Environmental Sciences
Engineering
Environmental Sciences & Ecology
DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS
MUTAGENIC-ACTIVITY
CHLORINATED DRINKING
BROMINATED ANALOGS
BACTERIAL MUTAGEN
ACID
CARCINOGENICITY
IDENTIFICATION
STABILITY
EXPOSURE
Drinking Water
Furans
Great Britain
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Multivariate Analysis
Mutagens
Seasons
Surveys and Questionnaires
Trihalomethanes
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Water Supply
MD Multidisciplinary
Publication Status
Published