The impact of halides and natural organic matter (NOM) on the degradation of acetaminophen during UV and UV/H2O2 water treatment was evaluated. Acetaminophen was found to undergo direct photolysis, and the addition of H2O2 greatly enhanced its degradation. The impact of quencher compounds suggests that a triplet state of the NOM plays an important role in acetaminophen decay and that hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen contribute modestly. The presence of chloride at seawater levels speeds acetaminophen degradation by 17�25%, but 0.5 mM bromine retards degradation 5�28%. Hydroxyl radicals contribute most to the degradation of acetaminophen. The presence of NOM retards degradation primarily through competitive reaction with hydroxyl radicals. Higher chloride and bromide concentrations retard acetaminophen decay, with bromide particularly potent. Identified intermediates suggest that acetaminophen initially undergoes hydroxylation through �OH addition onto the aromatic ring followed by further oxidation to generate carboxylic acid.

Degradation of acetaminophen during UV and UV/H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> water treatment: Impact of halides and NOM

248th National Meeting (2014)

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Degradation of acetaminophen during UV and UV/H2O2 water treatment: Impact of halides and NOM

Degradation of acetaminophen during UV and UV/H₂O₂ water treatment: Impact of halides and NOM