The disinfection by-product N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a probable carcinogen that has been detected in 25% of tested public water systems. With a potential future federal regulation on NDMA, NDMA origins and formation pathway is a topic of current interest. Chloramination has been identified as a major player in NDMA formation, and further research provides evidence that anthropogenic sources such as wastewater contain appreciable NDMA precursors. Tertiary and quaternary amines are primarily associated with anthropogenic activities such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products and industrial practices, which have also been linked to the occurrence of NDMA. Tertiary amine structures have yielded some of the highest formation potential when compared to other model precursors. Quaternary amine compounds, although demonstrating typically lower NDMA yields, are expected to be very abundant in wastewater and likewise also important NDMA contributors. Adapting a colorimetric technique to estimate tertiary and quaternary amine loads, this presentation discusses the method development of the amine measurements and further applies them to environmental samples. Bulk tertiary and quaternary amine measurements were compared to NDMA formation potential following chloramination of wastewater samples from various treatment plants. The data provides evidence that bulk tertiary and quaternary amine measurements are well correlated with NDMA formation potential and that this technique is useful as a proxy measurement for NDMA precursors. The technique utilizes relatively simple lab supplies, a fluorometer for detection and may prove a valuable assay for the assessment of NDMA precursors in natural samples.

Application of a spectrofluorometric technique to measure bulk tertiary and quaternary amines in water: A proxy for NDMA precursors

248th National Meeting (2014)

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