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Predictive model for chloroform during disinfection of water for consumption, city of Montevideo

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to predict chloroform formation resulting from the process of disinfecting water, particularly trihalomethane which is most frequently produced. A statistical model was used which included repeated measurements of water parameters used for monitoring water quality at 51 sites covering the municipal water system of Montevideo. Samples were taken considering different seasons from June 2009 to July 2011 in Montevideo. Total samples (n = 330) were analytically studied using the headspace-gas chromatography method coupled with mass spectrometry. Chloroform was the dependent variable and the covariables were pH, temperature, free chlorine, and total chlorine. A Tobit analysis with an unstructured correlation matrix was performed, and a significant interaction was found between pH and free chlorine for the prediction of chloroform formation. We concluded that parameters for the continuous control of water quality for consumption can be used to predict the levels of chloroform that may be present. Given the large measurement to variability found in the repeated measurements, the use of averages that include more than one season is not recommended to determine the degree of compliance with acceptable levels established by norms.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by the Honorary Commission for the Fight Against Cancer (Uruguay) (CHLCC, Spanish acronym) and Sectorial Commission of Scientific Research Universidad de la República (Uruguay) (CSIC-UdelaR, Spanish acronym).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Social Medicine, Paysandú Center, Universidad de la República, Florida 1051, CP 60000, Paysandú, Uruguay

    Mariana Gomez Camponovo

  2. Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Universidad de la República, Avenida General Flores 2124, CP 11800, Montevideo, Uruguay

    Gustavo Seoane Muniz

  3. Center for Research in Population Health, National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655, Col. Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada los Pinos y Caminera,, CP 62100, Cuernavaca Morelos, Mexico

    Stephen J. Rothenberg

  4. Organic Chemistry Analysis Laboratory, School of Chemistry, Universidad de la República, Avenida General Flores 2124, CP 11800, Montevideo, Uruguay

    Eleuterio Umpiérrez Vazquez

  5. Territorial Organization and Sustainable Development Laboratory, School of Sciences, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, CP 11400, Montevideo, Uruguay

    Marcel Achkar Borras

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  1. Mariana Gomez Camponovo
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  2. Gustavo Seoane Muniz
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Correspondence to Stephen J. Rothenberg.

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Gomez Camponovo, M., Seoane Muniz, G., Rothenberg, S.J. et al. Predictive model for chloroform during disinfection of water for consumption, city of Montevideo. Environ Monit Assess 186, 6711–6719 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-3884-5

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