Natural Organic Matter and Disinfection By-Products

This chapter presents an overview of past research on natural organic matter (NOM) characterization and its relationship to disinfection by-product (DBP) formation and control in drinking water. The drinking water industry is required to minimize DBP formation while ensuring adequate disinfection. A large body of occurrence, treatment, and health effects data exists for certain DBPs that are present in drinking water, primarily for trihalomethanes and other chlorination by-products. This chapter provides background and a brief introduction to each section of the book, organized according to the book's five main topics: "Regulatory and Health Effects Background"; "NOM Characterization and Reactivity"; "Formation of Chlorination DBPs"; "Chemistry of Alternative Disinfectants"; and "DBP Methods Development."