What’s New in the Water? Survey tallies emerging disinfection by-products

By analyzing drinking-water samples from U.S. treatment plants, a multi-institute research team has identified some unexpected by-products of disinfection processes. The data indicate compounds that toxicologists should target for further study, the researchers say.

Reactions between disinfection chemicals, such as chlorine and ozone, and natural organic matter in water create a wide variety of by-products.