Rural Appalachian Water Contaminants: Factors Affecting Exposure to Disinfection Byproducts
Abstract
Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) are chemicals produced when disinfectants like chlorine react with natural organic matter in treated drinking water. Long-term exposure to these byproducts poses significant health risks, such as bladder cancer, reproductive abnormalities, and fetal developmental effects. However, there is a research gap due to the limited number of studies focused on rural Appalachia, underscoring the necessity for more investigations in these underserved areas addressing DBPs. Our study aims to highlight the extent of DBP exposure and help communities understand the risk factors associated with DBP exposure in rural Appalachia. We systematically reviewed studies on disinfection byproducts in drinking water across the 13 states of Appalachia. For our studies, we searched for three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) using the PRISMA framework and didn’t have any year limitations. After removing duplicates, 238 records were screened, and only 19 met our eligibility criteria. Most studies were conducted in New York (31.58%, n = 6), while seven states had only one, including Tennessee. Public water systems were the most used water source (36.84%, n = 7). Disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes (THMs) were detected in 13 publications, and haloacetic acids (HAAs) were identified in four publications. Among the 13 studies that investigated THMs, five illustrated that THM levels exceeded the USEPA's maximum contaminant level (MCL) (i.e., 80 μg/L), while only one study showed that HAA levels surpassed the MCL (i.e., 60 μg/L). The mean concentration of THMs and HAAs tends to increase in mid-summer and early autumn, respectively. This study reveals the risk factors that address DBP contamination. Moreover, the findings emphasize the necessity for further research on DBP exposure in drinking water in the Appalachian region to protect public health while recommending water quality and treatment improvements.
Start Time
16-4-2025 9:00 AM
End Time
16-4-2025 11:30 AM
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Category
Health
Student Type
Graduate Student - Masters
Faculty Mentor
Md Rasheduzzaman
Faculty Department
Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Sciences
Rural Appalachian Water Contaminants: Factors Affecting Exposure to Disinfection Byproducts
Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) are chemicals produced when disinfectants like chlorine react with natural organic matter in treated drinking water. Long-term exposure to these byproducts poses significant health risks, such as bladder cancer, reproductive abnormalities, and fetal developmental effects. However, there is a research gap due to the limited number of studies focused on rural Appalachia, underscoring the necessity for more investigations in these underserved areas addressing DBPs. Our study aims to highlight the extent of DBP exposure and help communities understand the risk factors associated with DBP exposure in rural Appalachia. We systematically reviewed studies on disinfection byproducts in drinking water across the 13 states of Appalachia. For our studies, we searched for three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) using the PRISMA framework and didn’t have any year limitations. After removing duplicates, 238 records were screened, and only 19 met our eligibility criteria. Most studies were conducted in New York (31.58%, n = 6), while seven states had only one, including Tennessee. Public water systems were the most used water source (36.84%, n = 7). Disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes (THMs) were detected in 13 publications, and haloacetic acids (HAAs) were identified in four publications. Among the 13 studies that investigated THMs, five illustrated that THM levels exceeded the USEPA's maximum contaminant level (MCL) (i.e., 80 μg/L), while only one study showed that HAA levels surpassed the MCL (i.e., 60 μg/L). The mean concentration of THMs and HAAs tends to increase in mid-summer and early autumn, respectively. This study reveals the risk factors that address DBP contamination. Moreover, the findings emphasize the necessity for further research on DBP exposure in drinking water in the Appalachian region to protect public health while recommending water quality and treatment improvements.