This project will hunt for aquatic bladder carcinogens by chlorinating authentic and simulated drinking water samples under controlled laboratory cond

Epidemiological studies have shown long-term consumption of chlorinated drinking water is associated with an enhanced risk of developing bladder cancer. The cause of this link remains obscure, although it is assumed that disinfection byproducts are implicated. These are generated during drinking water treatment from reactions between precursor compounds (both organic and inorganic) and disinfectants (chlorine being the commonest). Many hundreds of disinfection byproducts are known to occur in drinking water, which reflects both precursor diversity and the complexity of the chemistry involved. However, there are no definite bladder carcinogens amongst their number. Thus, there is a mismatch between the evidence from analytical chemistry, toxicology and epidemiology. A plausible explanation is that bladder carcinogens in drinking water are being missed or overlooked. This project will hunt for aquatic bladder carcinogens by chlorinating authentic and simulated drinking water samples under controlled laboratory conditions. The products from these reactions will be analysed by a range of analytical techniques, focussing on molecules with the chemical functionality found in known bladder carcinogens