Project 4Measure and Destroy Hazards – MIT Superfund Research Program

Prof. Desiree L. Plata, Co-Leader
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Prof. Ariel L. Furst, Co-Leader
Department of Chemical Engineering

Technical Language

Project 4: Measurement and Engineering Solutions to Detect and Prevent N-nitrosamine Exposure

Goal

Understanding the fate of N-nitrosamines, probable human carcinogens, will be aided by the development of improved technologies to detect this important class of compounds in both the environment and in potable water. Quantifiable detection and measurement of specific contaminants is the first step towards protecting public health. The next critical step is to eradicate exposure to N-nitrosamines, specifically in residential drinking water. Creating new and different in-home filtration technologies by deploying materials to electrochemically destroy N-nitrosamines or using enzymatic destruction will meet this need.

Impact

Because N-nitrosamines can form from a variety of sources, the development of detection and quantitative measurement technologies of these constituents is beneficial. This work will be shared with stakeholders at the local, state, and national levels. From there, developing nanotechnologies and biotechnology approaches to destroy N-nitrosamines in drinking water is important to protect public health.

The Project

Certain families of chemicals have numerous structures. This is particularly true for a suite of N-nitrosamines. Current analytical methods for these compounds may not have detection limits low enough to measure levels known to cause health concern. Such limitations mean the public can be exposed to toxic chemicals.

Project 4 tackles the challenges associated with measurements, thereby recognizing where potential exposures to a suite of N-nitrosamines exist. Knowing the route and exposure levels is vital to devising prevention solutions.

There are three specific aims in meeting the objectives of detecting and measuring complex mixtures of contaminants and creating practical solutions to prevent N-nitrosamine exposure.

Aim 1: to employ robust analytical methods to detect a suite of established and novel N-nitrosamines.
Aim 2: to develop novel in-home water filtration technologies based on electrochemical processes and molecular recognition with enzymatic destruction.
Aim 3: to test the degradation products to ensure that they are not genotoxic.

Taking advantage of chromatography with mass spectrometry to detect multiple N-nitrosamines enables estimation of key physicochemical properties to predict the environmental fate of these constituents. This information will guide in the development of an original in-home treatment system using electrochemical processes and molecular platforms based on biologically scaffolded enzymes to destroy N-nitrosamines. Lastly, the project evaluates the treatment performance and examines the destruction products of the filtration system, verifying the safety of the water.

By collaborating with other Projects and supporting the Cores, the research discoveries and tangible outcomes can lead to broader public health gains. Additionally, including and engaging all key stakeholders in this effort can have a multiplying effect in reducing human health risks. In particular, this project provides viable solutions to drinking water issues for the Wilmington, MA community near the Olin Chemical Superfund Site as well as for the Passamaquoddy Tribe in Maine

Plain Language

Project 4: Measure and Destroy a Suite of N-nitrosamines

Goal

Finding improved ways to detect and measure different forms of N-nitrosamines in the natural surroundings as well as in the water we consume depends on knowing what happens to these contaminants once they are in the environment. If these compounds wind up in residential drinking water, protecting public health means getting rid of the potentially cancer-causing contaminants when they come out of the tap. Therefore, another critical piece of this project is to develop a new in-home filtration device such that the drinking water dispensed is free of these toxins.

Impact

Finding out how N-nitrosamines move and change in the environment using targeted means of detecting these contaminants helps everyone understand exposure. Knowing the levels of contaminants that end up in residential pipes allows the creation of an in-home, under-the-sink device to destroy these toxins at the right levels. Sharing information about what happens to N-nitrosamines in the environment as well as wider use of these at home devices will produce overall greater protection and health benefits to the public.

The Project

N-nitrosamines encompass a family of chemicals and what happens to these chemicals once they are in the environment is important to understand their impact. Only a small number of these contaminants are typically measured in residential water, especially since these chemicals are unregulated. A main reason for this is due to the limitations in current analytical methods. Essentially, the detection limit of standard methods does not get down to a low enough level to assure protection of human health.

This project addresses not only the gap in knowledge regarding behavior of N-nitrosamines in the environment as well as the detection issue, but it also aims to find convenient solutions to get rid of these chemicals in the drinking water such that the water is safe. By coming up with new techniques and procedures for analysis, the results will help uncover the environmental fate of these chemicals, thereby helping predict exposure levels for these compounds. With this vital information in hand, the design of a specific treatment scheme to destroy N-nitrosamines is achievable. For this new filtration device to be commercially adoptable, it will be an easy-at-home use product.

While this project focus is to help the Wilmington, MA community near the Olin Chemical Superfund Site as well as a Native American Tribe in Maine with their drinking water problems, the home-scale water treatment systems may be available beyond these groups someday. Sharing knowledge and having access to this innovative filtration device on local, state, and national levels should eliminate certain exposure risks. In turn, there is direct environmental benefit and more protection for public health.

Project 4: Measurement and Engineering Solutions to Detect and Prevent N-nitrosamine Exposure

Goal

Impact

The Project

Project 4: Measure and Destroy a Suite of N-nitrosamines

Goal

Impact

The Project

Contact

Funding