title: The Relationship between MX [3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone], Routinely Monitored Trihalomethanes, and Other Characteristics in Drinking Water in a Long-Term Survey.
abstract: MX (3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone) is a drinking water disinfection byproduct (DBP). It is a potent mutagen and is of concern to public health. Data on MX levels in drinking water, especially in the UK, are limited. Our aim was to investigate factors associated with variability of MX concentrations at the tap, and to evaluate if routinely measured trihalomethanes (THMs) are an appropriate proxy measure for MX. We conducted quarterly water sampling at consumers' taps in eight water supply zones in and around Bradford, UK, between 2007 and 2010. We collected 79 samples which were analyzed for MX using GC-HRMS. Other parameters such as pH, temperature, UV-absorbance and free chlorine were measured concurrently, and total THMs were modeled from regulatory monitoring data. To our knowledge this is the longest MX measurement survey undertaken to date. Concentrations of MX varied between 8.9 and 45.5 ng/L with a median of 21.3 ng/L. MX demonstrated clear seasonality with concentrations peaking in late summer/early fall. Multivariate regression showed that MX levels were associated with total trihalomethanes, UV-absorbance and pH. However, the relationship between TTHM and MX may not be sufficiently consistent across time and location for TTHM to be used as a proxy measure for MX in exposure assessment.
authors.affiliation: †MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, U.K.
authors.forename: Rachel B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: †MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, U.K.
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: ‡National Institute for Health and Welfare, Chemicals and Health Unit, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Panu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rantakokko
authors.affiliation: §Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, (CREAL), Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.|∥Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08002 Barcelona, Spain.|⊥CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: †MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, U.K.|§Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, (CREAL), Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.|∥Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08002 Barcelona, Spain.|⊥CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Nieuwenhuijsen
authors.affiliation: †MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, U.K.
authors.forename: Mireille B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Toledano
mesh_terms: D060766:Drinking Water / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D005663:Furans / Q000032:analysis*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009153:Mutagens / Q000032:analysis; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D022882:Trihalomethanes / Q000032:analysis*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D005663:Furans; D009153:Mutagens; D022882:Trihalomethanes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C054121:3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone