Method for measuring mutagen formation potential (MFP) on chlorination as a new water quality index

A novel water duality index, the mutagen formation potential (MFP) is propo sed for use in evaluation of the quality of drinking water which may contai n pollutants capable of forming mutagens when chlorinated under the conditi ons used in water purification processes. A method for measuring MFP was es tablished as follows. The water sample to be tested is diluted until the TO C reaches 3-4 mg l(-1), the pH is adjusted to 7.0 +/- 0.2, sodium hypochlor ite is added to obtain conditions where Cl/TOC = 3-4 mg Cl (mg C)(-1) and t he water sample is left standing for 24 +/- 2 h at room temperature. Therea fter, 21 of the chlorinated water sample at pH 2.0 +/- 0.1 is passed throug h a Sep-Pak Plus CSP-800 cartridge to adsorb ally mutagens formed, and DMSO is applied to the cartridge to desorb the mutagens. Then, a 2 mi sample of the eluate is collected after the DMSO had begun to flow out of the cartri dge and evaluated by the Ames Salmonella mutagenicity assay (preincubation method). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.