A recent study conducted by the University of Hawai’i at Manoa has revealed that when chlorine is combined with petroleum in water, it has the potential to create unintentional byproducts that can be harmful to human health. According to the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) and military installations, small amounts of chlorine are added within safe industry standards to disinfect the drinking water on OÊ»ahu. The BWS also reported a petroleum release from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in late November 2021.The Red Hill drinking water well was found to be contaminated, causing hundreds of families living on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the Army’s Aliamanu Military Reservation, and Red Hill Housing to report petroleum odors in their tap water provided by the U.S. Navy water system. Lab experiments conducted by researchers at UH Manoa’s College of Engineering and Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) showed increased levels of THM4 (Total Trihalomethanes) and HAA5 (Haloacetic Acids), both of which are considered disinfection byproducts. These byproducts can form during the chlorination of petroleum-contaminated water. THM4 was found to be the most abundant, and it was also discovered that various other harmful contaminants were present.Numerous unregulated disinfection byproducts were generated. The scientists emphasize that their conclusions are based on controlled laboratory conditions, and additional research is required to comprehend real-world consequences.
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Persistent exposure to disinfection byproducts could elevate the risk of cancer. Individuals exposed to abnormally high levels of certain disinfection byproducts may suffer from liver damage and reduced nervous system function.”
“These discoveries underscore the potential health hazards linked to chlorinating water contaminated with petroleum, and further investigation is necessary to fully grasp the implications for public health.”com impact water quality and the formation of disinfection byproducts,” Yan said. “This study provides direct evidence that the co-occurrence of chlorine and petroleum hydrocarbons in groundwater can lead to increased health risks through the formation of disinfection byproducts, a concern that has not been previously recognized.”
The findings underscore the importance of considering the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons when assessing the potential risks associated with disinfection byproducts in drinking water supplies. The study also highlights the need for further research to better understand the interactions between chlorine and petroleum hydrocarbons and their impact on water quality.The study found that when unaltered petroleum hydrocarbons are exposed to free chlorine, which is commonly used in water treatment, they can create higher levels of regulated disinfection byproducts. This suggests that there may be potential risks to water quality and human health during both water treatment and distribution. The researchers stress the importance of understanding these risks in order to protect water quality and human health during water treatment and distribution processes.
