(353a) Investigation of Quality Concerns Due to Elastomeric Compunds Degradation in Chloramine-Disinfected Waters

Due to the increasing health concerns and USEPA regulations, chlorine has increasingly been replaced by chloramine as the primary disinfectant in drinking water distribution systems. Even though, chloramines have been effective in reducing the disinfectant by-products, there have been reports of increasing elastomeric compound degradation. As the elastomer compound degradation progresses, it is noted that degradation by-products would leach into drinking waters and might lead to water quality concerns. To investigate this possibility, 30-day elastomer accelerated degradation tests were conducted for SBR, Natural Rubber and EPDM(S) elastomer samples in aqueous chloramine solutions and the solution samples were retrieved on 3, 6, 9, 15, 20 and 30 days for testing. The analytes were extracted using Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) technique and the identification of organic compounds was carried out using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry. Varieties of carcinogenic organic compounds, leaching from the elastomer during the accelerated degradation tests, were identified and discussed in this study.