Spectrophotometric Determination of Total Trihalomethanes in Finished Waters

Abstract

Research into a spectrophotometric method for measuring total trihalomethanes in drinking water is described. The procedure is based on the classic Fujiwara reaction, which is characterized by the red color that develops when a halogen compound is heated with sodium hydroxide and pyridine. Although less sensitive and less specific than gas chromatography, this method is relatively simple and inexpensive and could be used in water treatment plant laboratories to screen for total trihalomethanes in finished waters.