Trihalomethane Levels in Municipal Drinking Water of Madrid (Spain) and Health Risk Assessment for Oral Exposure

Abstract

Trihalomethanes (THMs) are generated in the drinking water treatment plant, due to the reaction of the halogenated disinfection compounds with the natural organic matter (NOM). They are related to health problems both from the point of view of cancer development and other important diseases. This study aimed to assess the quality of tap water in Madrid in terms of prevention and control of THMs risks in the supply water treated by Canal de Isabel II (CYII) in a total of 108 samples throughout 2015 to 2020, to distinguish the problems of the different 21 districts or types of buildings, the seasonality and to estimate the risk of exposure to THMs from tap water in the population of Madrid.