What common water treatment process can lead to the formation of potentially hazardous byproducts in drinking water?

Chlorination is a common water treatment process that involves adding chlorine to drinking water to disinfect it and kill harmful pathogens. While chlorination is essential for ensuring the microbiological safety of drinking water, it can also lead to the formation of potentially hazardous byproducts, particularly when chlorine reacts with organic matter present in the water.

One of the primary concerns is the formation of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), which are byproducts formed during the chlorination process. These compounds have been studied extensively because they can have adverse health effects when present in drinking water at elevated levels. Regulatory agencies monitor the levels of these disinfection byproducts (DBPs) because of their potential links to health issues, including cancer.

In contrast, the other processes listed, such as fluoridation, adsorption, and carbon filtration, either do not typically form hazardous byproducts or do not pose the same level of risk associated with chlorination. Fluoridation mainly involves adding fluoride to prevent dental cavities, while adsorption and carbon filtration are generally used to remove contaminants without the formation of harmful byproducts. Understanding the implications of chlorination is critical for water operators to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water.