Volatile organics in Egyptian drinking water: a potential problem assessment

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this study was to probe the levels of some selected volatile compounds listed by the USEPA as priority pollutants of confirmed carcinogenicity in Egyptian water supplies. Drinking water samples were collected from seven sampling sites in Cairo and then shipped to the United Stated for analysis. Standard EPA analytical techniques [601] and [602] were adopted for the analysis of these compounds using a purge and trap open tubular column gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector. The results indicate the presence of significant levels of toluene and ethylbenzene in raw Nile water. Total THMs observed were lower than the maximum USEPA allowable levels