FORMATION OF HALOGENATED ARTIFACTS IN BROMINATED, CHLORAMINATED, AND CHLORINATED SOLVENTS

The formation of halogenated solvent artifacts was investigated in com mon analytical solvents exposed to free chlorine, chloramines, and fre e bromine. Three brominated solvent artifacts [3-bromo-3-methyl-2-buta nol (BMB), 1-bromo-2-methyl-2-propanol, and bromoacetone] were identif ied by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in methyl tert-butyl ether or pentane exposed to free bromine. These same three compounds have b een previously reported as new disinfection byproducts in ozonated wat ers high in bromide. A number of chlorinated artifacts, which were rep orted as novel chloramination byproducts in another previous study, we re also identified in diethyl ether exposed to free chlorine and chlor amines. The present study indicated that the formation of halogenated artifacts is common in disinfection byproduct (DBP) analysis. Since th e formation of artifacts will limit the quantitative and qualitative a nalysis of DBPs in unquenched water samples, we suggest four ways to a void the problems related to these artifacts. We also recommend that f urther research be carried out to verify the results of those studies where known solvent artifacts are reported as byproducts of drinking w ater disinfection.