Advancing Understanding of Disinfection Byproducts: Formation, Identification, Health Implications, and their remediation

Disinfection is the final stage in any water treatment process aimed at removing pathogens. Ozonation, chlorination, and UV irradiation are the major disinfection methods used in drinking water treatment. Among these, chemical-based methods are often preferred due to their low cost, ease of implementation, and effectiveness against a wide range of pathogens. However, the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) during chemical-based processes can have adverse effects on human health upon exposure. The formation of DBPs depends on the presence of precursors in the water matrix, such as natural organic matter, halide ions, and various nitrogen-containing compounds. DBPs have been reported to be both cytotoxic and genotoxic. Therefore, their formation should be minimized or controlled during water treatment.

The formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) poses a significant threat to human health, as many DBPs are toxic, carcinogenic, or otherwise harmful. Therefore, analytical techniques should be employed to identify and quantify DBPs in drinking water sources to ensure their concentrations remain within regulatory limits. These techniques can also be applied to detect potential DBP precursors. Nitrogen-containing compounds, natural organic matter, and inorganic ions are known contributors to DBP formation. As such, the minimization of DBP formation can be achieved by removing these precursors through processes such as advanced oxidation or separation techniques. Additionally, the use of novel or more selective disinfectants can help reduce DBP formation while maintaining disinfection efficacy.

The primary objective of this Research Topic is to explore various aspects of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), including their identification and strategies for minimizing their presence in drinking water sources. This is a multidisciplinary area that spans analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry and engineering, toxicology, and process optimization.

We welcome original research articles, review papers, and perspectives related to the following themes:
- DBP formation: Reaction pathways involving different precursors and disinfectants; factors influencing DBP formation
- Identification of DBPs and Precursors: Chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques, fate and behaviour of DBPs
- Control of DBPs: Advanced oxidation processes, separation processes, or other innovative method for the precursor removal
- Toxicity of DBPs: Risk assessment

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Disinfection Byproducts, Water, Mass Spectrometry, Separation, Oxidation Process, Nitration, Halo Compounds, Health Impacts

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.