AQUEOUS CHLORINATION PRODUCTS OF POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS.

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), fused benzene compounds with three of more rings, are products of incomplete combustion. They have long been the object of concern due to their ubiquitous nature and the well-documented carcinogenic character of several members of the family. The disinfection of water with chlorine has been reported to effectively reduce the concentration of PAHs. There was no detailed product evaluation during most of these investigations, but from previous studies in these and other laboratories it was anticipated that the incorporation of chlorine into the aromatic nucleus was a possible reaction process. The paper reports on a research project to identify the reaction products of the aqueous chlorination of selected PAHs, including some found in drinking water. The reactions were conducted under varying conditions of time (0. 5 to 3 hr), chlorine dosage (2-20 mg/l), and pH (4-7) that might be encountered during actual treatment conditions.