SinS - Abstract

Abstract Information :

The application of a novel suspect screening method for the analysis of organic acidic contaminants in London municipal water samples has revealed the presence of several potentially harmful and previously ignored disinfection by-products [1]. Dibromomethanesulfonic acid and halogenated-hydroxycyclopentenediones were present in a high number of samples and were predicted to be mutagenic. Furthermore, dibromomethanesulfonic acid was quantified for the first time in drinking water at 0.9 µg L-1. Further research is currently on-going to synthesise trichloro- and tribromo-hydroxycyclopentenediones. In-vitro mutagenicity assessment and quantification in drinking water will be performed for all available substances in order to generate a preliminary risk assessment. The novel introduction of strong-anion exchange solid-phase extraction for the analysis of strong and weak acids by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry offers unprecedented selectivity for acidic contaminants, resulting in better recoveries, repeatability and diminished matrix effects when compared to the current standard method [1]. Quantitative instrumental method development will be performed to explore this new potential for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and acidic disinfection by-products. Full-scale validation will be followed by the analysis of hundreds of UK potable water samples. At present, data for the occurrence and effects in drinking water of many of these substances in drinking water is unavailable or very limited, and therefore this work will constitute a major contribution to their exposure and risk assessment. 1. Ciccarelli, D., et al., AN IMPROVED NON-TARGET ANALYSIS AND SUSPECT SCREENING WORKFLOW FOR ORGANIC ACID CONTAMINANTS IN DRINKING WATER. 2022. Manuscript accepted by Journal of Hazardous Materials