Mutagenicity and Disinfection by-Products in Surface Drinking Water Disinfected With Peracetic Acid

Abstract

The aims of this research were to study the influence of peracetic acid (PAA) on the formation of mutagens in surface waters used for human consumption and to assess its potential application for the disinfection of drinking water. The results obtained using PAA were compared to those found with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and chlorine dioxide (ClO2). The Ames test, root anaphase aberration assay, and root/micronuclei assay in Allium cepa and Tradescantia/micronuclei test were used to evaluate the mutagenicity of disinfected samples. Microbiological tests were also performed, and disinfection by-products (DBPs) were identified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A slight bacterial mutagenicity was found in raw lake and river water, and similar activity was detected in disinfected samples. A plant test revealed genotoxicity in raw river water, and microbiological analysis showed that PAA has bactericidal activity but lower than that of the other disinfectants. The DBPs produced by PAA were mainly carboxylic acids, which are not recognized as mutagenic, whereas the waters treated with the other disinfectants showed the presence of mutagenic/carcinogenic halogenated DBPs. However, additional experiments should be performed with higher concentrations of PAA and using water with higher organic carbon content to better evaluate this disinfectant.

Modulation of cytochrome P450 and induction of DNA damage in Cyprinus carpio exposed in situ to surface water treated with chlorine or alternative disinfectants in different seasons

“…Moreover, lake-water content of nitrite (colorimetry, diazotization method), nitrate (colorimetry, cadmium reduction method), ammonium (colorimetry, indophenol blue), and phosphorus (colorimetry, ascorbic acid method) was determined after water filtration (glass fibre filters Whatman GF/F) [37]. Total organic carbon (TOC), adsorbable organic halogens (AOX), trihalomethane (THM), UV absorbance at 254 nm and total THM formation potential (TTHMFP) were also determined [38], while concentrates of both raw and disinfected water were analysed for disinfection by-products using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) [39,40].…”

Perturbation of cytochrome P450, generation of oxidative stress and induction of DNA damage in Cyprinus carpio exposed in situ to potable surface water

“…This chemical is a potent antimicrobial agent with many applications in hospitals, laboratories and factories [21][22][23]. Disinfection of drinking water from lakes and rivers with PAA results in the production of carboxylic acids, which are known to be essentially non-mutagenic, with a very low level of genotoxicity in bacterial test systems [24,25].…”

Genotoxicity of surface water treated with different disinfectants using in situ plant tests

“…Among the new disinfectants, peracetic acid (CH 3 -CO-OOH, PAA) deserves to be studied for its application in drinking water disinfection, since it is a potent antimicrobial agent and has many applications in hospitals, laboratories, and factories [Baldry et al, 1991[Baldry et al, , 1995Lefevre et al, 1992]. More recently, PAA has been found to be an effective biocidal compound for wastewater disinfection, and previous research showed that disinfection of lake and river drinking water with PAA gave rise to a very low level of genotoxicity and produced only carboxylic acids [Monarca et al, 2002a], which are not recognized as mutagenic.Drinking water has been intensively examined for gene mutations, primarily by assaying extracts of water in bacterial tests, and several studies on different disinfectants have been carried out [Koivusalo et al, 1994;Loper et al, 1980;Monarca 1985Monarca , 1998Monarca , 2002aRomero et al, 1992;Tuomisto et al, 1990;Wilcox and Williamson, 1986;Wilcox et al, 1988]. Plant genotoxicity tests measure different genetic endpoints (clastogenicity and aneugenicity) and allow researchers to study water in situ, without requiring lengthy and expensive methods for concentration.…”

“…Vicia faba and Allium cepa have been utilized for environmental waters, disinfected wastewaters, and also drinking water [Chang-Qun et al, 1999;Knasmuller et al, 1998; Grant sponsor: the Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica (40% funds, MURST, to SM and MR.). and Lombi, 1997;Minissi et al, 1998;Rizzoni et al, 1995;Smaka-Kincl et al, 1996]; more recently, the Tradescantia/ micronuclei test has been used to detect genotoxicity in concentrated and unconcentrated samples of drinking water [Helma et al, 1994;Monarca et al, 1998Monarca et al, , 2002a.This study was performed as a part of a research program designed to evaluate the influence of different disinfection treatments on the formation of genotoxins in surface water used for human consumption. Different test systems were used for in vivo / in situ exposure to disinfected water (plants, fish, molluscs) and in vitro treatments with water concentrates (human lymphocytes, Salmonella, yeast), detecting different endpoints (genotoxicity, mutagenicity, clastogenicity, and aneugenicity).…”