Alternative Methods for the Analysis of NDMA and Other Nitrosamines in Water and Wastewater

The chemical, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), has been identified as a probable human carcinogen by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Exposure to NDMA at high levels has been demonstrated to cause cancer in laboratory animals. The general population may be exposed to NDMA from various pathways, including inhalation (air) and ingestion (food and beverages). More recently, NDMA has been detected in potable water, recycled water, and wastewater. The project evaluated, refined, and developed multiple methods for NDMA analysis, and where applicable, determine how well these methods were able to detect other nitrosamines. Although low-level detection limits are important considerations for developing these methods, another purpose of this project was to evaluate the performance of multiple methods when applied to a variety of water matrices.

Originally funded as WERF project Reuse-01-01.