Mixed Organic and Inorganic Tapwater Exposures and Potential Effects in the Greater Chicago Area

Safe drinking water at the point of use (tapwater, TW) is a public-health priority. TW exposures and potential human-health concerns of 540 organics and 35 inorganics were assessed in 45 Chicago-area United States (US) homes in 2017. No US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level(s) (MCL) were exceeded in any residential or water treatment plant (WTP) pre-distribution TW sample. Ninety percent (90%) of organic analytes were not detected in treated TW, emphasizing the high quality of the Lake Michigan drinking-water source and the efficacy of the drinking-water treatment and monitoring. Sixteen (16) organics were detected in >25% of TW samples, with about 50 detected at least once. Low-level TW exposures to unregulated disinfection byproducts (DBP) of emerging concern, per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and three pesticides were ubiquitous. Common exceedances of non-enforceable EPA MCL Goal(s) (MCLG) of zero for arsenic [As], lead [Pb], uranium [U], bromodichloromethane, and tribromomethane suggest potential human-health concerns and emphasize the continuing need for improved understanding of cumulative effects of low-concentration mixtures on vulnerable sub-populations. Because DBP dominated TW organics, residential-TW concentrations are potentially predictable with expanded pre-distribution DBP monitoring. However, several TW chemicals, notably Pb and several infrequently detected organic compounds, were not readily explained by pre-distribution samples, illustrating the need for continued broad inorganic/organic TW characterization to support consumer assessment of acceptable risk and point-of-use treatment options.

Impact/Purpose

Chemicals regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act are routinely monitored at drinking-water facilities prior to distribution, but only a few constituents (e.g., lead and copper, disinfection byproducts) are routinely monitored at select point of use (tapwater) locations. Recent drinking water quality failures illustrate the possible public health consequences of inadequate understanding of within distribution system biogeochemical changes and resultant tapwater contaminant exposures. Further the current safety and long-term quality of US tapwater are particular challenges for large urban centers. To better understand urban tapwater exposures, their spatial variability and their possible human health implications, a synoptic assessment of broad chemical exposures in 45 homes within three public supply drinking water service areas in Chicago area homes was conducted. Although, inorganic/organic mixtures were common in residential tapwater, no Maximum Contaminant Levels were exceeded in any residential or water filtration plant pre-distribution tapwater sample. (This study was a collaboration between USGS, NIEHS, Colorado School of Mines, and USEPA and contains no original USEPA generated data.)

Citation

Bradley, P., M. Argos, D. Kolpin, S. Meppelink, K. Romanok, K. Smalling, M. Focazio, J. Allen, J. Dietze, M. Devito, N. Evans, C. Givens, J. Gray, C. Higgins, M. Hladik, L. Iwanowicz, C. Journey, R. Lane, K. Loftin, R. McCleskey, C. McDonough, E. Medlock Kakaley, M. Meyer, A. Holthouse-Putz, S. Richardson, A. Stark, C. Weis, V. Wilson, AND A. Zehraoui. Mixed Organic and Inorganic Tapwater Exposures and Potential Effects in the Greater Chicago Area. Elsevier BV, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, 719:137236, (2020). [DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137236]

DOI: Mixed Organic and Inorganic Tapwater Exposures and Potential Effects in the Greater Chicago Area