This project will hunt for aquatic bladder carcinogens by chlorinating authentic and simulated drinking water samples under controlled laboratory cond
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Surrey
Department Name: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Abstract
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
Publications
Diana M
(2019)
Disinfection byproducts potentially responsible for the association between chlorinated drinking water and bladder cancer: A review.
in Water research
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EP/N509772/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
1944033 | Studentship | EP/N509772/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/01/2021 | Marine Diana |
Description | Epidemiological studies have consistently associated the consumption of chlorinated drinking water with an enhanced risk of bladder cancer. While this suggests that some disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are bladder carcinogens, causal agents are unknown. This study aims to highlight likely candidates. To achieve this, structures of known and hypothesised DBPs were compared with 76 known bladder carcinogens. Amines, haloamides, halocyclopentenoic acids, furans and haloquinones were found to be potential candidates. Given the high proportion of DBPs that remains uncharacterised, it is important that future research prioritises compounds believed to be potent toxicants. |
Exploitation Route | Based on the structures of the compounds proposed, other researchers may develop methods to analyse and quantify them in water. This will be useful for prioritising disinfection byproducts research on the most toxicologically significant compounds. |
Sectors | Environment |
URL | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004313541930613X |
Description | Alan Tetlow Bursary |
Amount | £975 (GBP) |
Organisation | Royal Society of Chemistry |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2019 |
End | 06/2019 |
Description | Erasmus+ |
Amount | £1,080 (GBP) |
Organisation | Erasmus + |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2020 |
End | 05/2020 |
Description | ICRA |
Organisation | Catalan Institute for Water Research |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | intellectual input |
Collaborator Contribution | acess to equipment and facilities, intellectual input |
Impact | No outcome so far, collaboration started 2 months ago. |
Start Year | 2020 |