Toxicity and Control Technology of By-products of Chlorine Disinfection in Rural Drinking Water

Disinfection plays a pivotal role in averting water-borne infections within the context of rural drinking water treatment. Chlorine and chloramine disinfection have emerged as the predominant methods employed in this setting, largely due to their inherent advantages of cost-effectiveness, high efficacy, and simplicity. Nonetheless, it is imperative to acknowledge that chlorine disinfection has recently elicited concerns regarding its potential impact on public health. While chlorine disinfectants effectively exterminate harmful microorganisms in drinking water, they simultaneously exhibit a strong oxidizing nature, capable of oxidizing naturally occurring organic matter in rivers, lakes, groundwater, as well as anthropogenic pollutants and bromide/iodide compounds. This oxidative process culminates in the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), which has raised apprehensions given their potential to induce various health conditions, including bladder cancer, rectal cancer, reproductive disorders, and other ailments, thus constituting a conceivable threat to human health. This paper aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the generation, chemical properties, toxicity research, and control technologies pertaining to disinfection byproducts in the context of the disinfection processes involving chlorine, chloramine, and chlorine dioxide. Moreover, this paper will propose measures and technologies aimed at mitigating and addressing the issue of disinfection byproducts.