Strategies for reducing the mutagen content of chlorinated aqueous media

Abstract

In anticipation of government mandates regulating the quantity of the toxic mutagen, 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone, which can be released into potable waters or from industrial facilities, technologies for monitoring the concentration, reducing the quantity, and inhibiting the formation of this compound were investigated. Adsorption of the chlorinated hydroxyfuranone from laboratory systems (pH 7.2, 22°) utilizing the non-polar, polymeric resin, Amberlite XAD-4, was successful. As these system conditions are comparable to those present in drinking water treatment facilities, application of this resin to such systems should be investigated. However, typical concentrations of the chlorinated mutagen released from such facilities are some 100 times less then those employed in laboratory experiments. As such, highly sensitive analytical technology, such as fluorescent spectroscopy, would be required for direct detection of the mutagen in these aqueous systems. Since development of a fluorescent adduct of the mutagen, through either Schiff's base or halogen replacement reactions, failed, application of the adsorption methodology was not investigated. Approaching the problem in a different manner lead to ° investigations aimed at reducing the formation of the mutagenic compound. Since the mutagen is formed upon chlorination of waters containing lignin derived materials, lignification in intact growing plants, and the effects of modified substrates on this process, were investigated. All modified substrates tested increased the uptake of a C¹⁴ labelled lignin precursor into the lignin containing fraction of a living poplar stem. Research continues in this area to determine through what mechanism these compounds are affecting lignification.