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Special attention has been given to humic substances since about 1970, following
the discovery of trihalomethanes (THMs, such as chloroform and dibromochloromethane)
in water supplies. It is now generally believed that these suspected carcinogens
can be formed in the presence of humic substances during the disinfection of
raw municipal drinking water by chlorination (see Chapter 8). The humic substances
produce THMs by reaction with chlorine. The formation of THMs can be reduced by
removing as much of the humic material as possible prior to chlorination. |
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