Organic contaminants in the District of Columbia water supply

Abstract

Thirty-two organic contaminants have been identified in District of Columbia drinking water. These contaminants include aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorocarbons, bromine-containing compounds, alcohols and ketones. The concentration of each constituent identified was less than one part per million. The organic contaminants were extracted from the water samples with a 1:1 mixture of carbon disulfide (CS2) and methylene chloride (CH2Cl2). Each constituent was identified by its gas chromatographic retention time and by its mass spectrum.