Mixed organic and inorganic tapwater exposures and potential effects in greater Chicago area, USA
Science of the Total Environment
By: Paul Bradley, Maria Argos, Dana W. Kolpin, Shannon M. Meppelink, Kristin M. Romanok, Kelly L. Smalling, Michael J. Focazio, Joshua M. Allen, Julie E. Dietze, Michael J. Devito, Ariel Donovan, Nicola Evans, Carrie E. Givens, James L. Gray, Christopher P. Higgins, Michelle L. Hladik, Luke Iwanowicz, Celeste A. Journey, Rachael F. Lane, Zachary R. Laughrey, Keith A. Loftin, R. Blaine McCleskey, Carrie A. McDonough, Elizabeth K Medlock Kakaley, Michael T. Meyer, Andrea Holthouse-Putz, Susan D Richardson, Alan Stark, Christopher P. Weis, Vickie S. Wilson, and Abderrahman Zehraoui
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Data Release: USGS data release - Mixed Organic and Inorganic Tapwater Results in the Greater Chicago Area, USA, 2017-2019
- Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Safe drinking water at the point of use (tapwater, TW) is a public-health priority. TW exposures and potential human-health concerns of 540 organics and 35 inorganics were assessed in 45 Chicago area United States (US) homes in 2017. No US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level(s) (MCL) were exceeded in any residential or water treatment plant (WTP) pre-distribution TW sample. Ninety percent (90%) of organic analytes were not detected in treated TW, emphasizing the high quality of the Lake Michigan drinking-water source and the efficacy of the drinking-water treatment and monitoring. Sixteen (16) organics were detected in >25% of TW samples, with about 50 detected at least once. Low-level TW exposures to unregulated disinfection byproducts (DBP) of emerging concern, per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and three pesticides were ubiquitous. Common exceedances of non-enforceable EPA MCL Goal(s) (MCLG) of zero for arsenic [As], lead [Pb], uranium [U]), bromodichloromethane, and tribromomethane suggest potential human health concerns and emphasize the continuing need for improved understanding of cumulative effects of low-concentration mixtures on vulnerable sub-populations. Because DBP dominated TW organics, residential TW concentrations are potentially predictable with expanded pre-distribution DBP monitoring. However, several TW chemicals, notably Pb and several infrequently detected organic compounds, were not readily explained by pre distribution samples, illustrating the need for continued broad inorganic/organic TW characterization to support consumer assessment of acceptable risk and point-of-use treatment options.
Suggested Citation
Bradley, P., Argos, M., Kolpin, D., Meppelink, S., Romanok, K., Smalling, K., Focazio, M.J., Allen, J.M., Dietze, J., Devito, M.J., Donovan, A., Evans, N., Givens, C.E., Gray, J., Higgins, C.P., Hladik, M.L., Iwanowicz, L., Journey, C., Lane, R.F., Laughrey, Z.R., Loftin, K., McCleskey, R.B., McDonough, C.A., Medlock Kakaley, E.K., Meyer, M.T., Holthouse-Putz, A., Richardson, S.D., Stark, A., Weis, C.P., Wilson, V.S., and Zehraoui, A., 2020, Mixed organic and inorganic tapwater exposures and potential effects in greater Chicago area, USA: Science of the Total Environment, v. 719, 137236, 16 p., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137236.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Mixed organic and inorganic tapwater exposures and potential effects in greater Chicago area, USA |
| Series title | Science of the Total Environment |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137236 |
| Volume | 719 |
| Year Published | 2020 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | National Water Quality Laboratory, South Atlantic Water Science Center |
| Description | 137236, 16 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| City | Chicago |