Use of Pulsed-UV Processes to Destroy NDMA

Authors

Sun Liang
Joon H. Min
Marshall K. Davis
James F. Green
Donald S. Remer, Harvey Mudd CollegeFollow

Document Type

Article

Department

Engineering (HMC)

Publication Date

9-2003

Abstract

About five years ago, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) began to be detected in drinking water sources. Typically an oxidative degradation product of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine, NDMA is a component of rocket fuel and is also formed during numerous industrial manufacturing processes as a byproduct of reactions involving chemicals called alkylamines. The US Environmental Protection Agency has identified NDMA as a probable human carcinogen. However, because NDMA had not historically been considered a common drinking water contaminant, no federal or state drinking water standards were established for it until 1998 in California. In addition to its presence in drinking water, it has recently been suggested that NDMA may be present in sewage and reclaimed water after chlorination, as well as surface water processed by conventional drinking water treatment methods. The mechanisms of NDMA formation appear to be associated with the chlorination process. Therefore, an urgent need has developed for technologies that can remediate drinking water sources contaminated by this compound. This need sparked a growing interest in the potential of pulsed-ultraviolet (UV) and pulsed-UV/hydrogen peroxide treatment processes for removing NDMA from drinking water. The authors of this article evaluated the effectiveness of these treatments for NDMA removal. The results showed that NDMA can be reduced with UV light treatment. This finding will help drinking water utilities to better comply with state and federal standards and to more effectively protect public health.

Comments

Previously linked to as: http://ccdl.libraries.claremont.edu/u?/irw,389.

Source: Publisher's pdf.

Reprinted from Journal AWWA, Vol. 95, Iss. 9 (September 2003), by permission.

Article can also be found at http://apps.awwa.org/WaterLibrary/showabstract.aspx?an=JAW_0058675

Rights Information

© 2003 American Water Works Association

Terms of Use & License Information

Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Recommended Citation

Liang, Sun, Joon H. Min, Marshall K. Davis, James F. Green, and Donald S. Remer, "Use of Pulsed-UV Processes to Destroy NDMA." Journal AWWA 95.9 (September 2003): 121-131.