An in-vitro approach for water quality determination: activation of NF-κB as marker for cancer-related stress responses induced by anthropogenic pollutants of drinking water

Epidemiological studies show that there is a link between urban water pollution and increase in human morbidity and mortality. With the increase in number of new substances arising from the chemical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries, there is an urgent need to develop biological test systems for fast evaluation of potential risks to humans and the environmental ecosystems. Here, a combined cellular reporter assay based on the cellular survival and the stress-induced activation of the survival-promoting factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and its use for the detection of cytotoxicity and cancer-related stress responses is presented. A total of 14 chemicals that may be found in trace-amounts in ground water levels are applied and tested with the presented assay. The project is embedded within the joint research project TOX-BOX which aims to develop a harmonized testing strategy for risk management of anthropogenic trace substances in potable water. The assay identified carbendazim as a NF-κB-activating agent in mammalian cells

Separation and Characterization of NOM Intermediates Along AOP Oxidation

Removal of natural organic matter (NOM) in drinking water treatment systems has been a matter of thorough study in recent years. NOM affects organoleptic properties of water and causes membrane fouling; it may act as energy source for microorganisms in distribution systems and leads to the formation of undesired disinfection by-products through its interaction with chlorine. Currently the role played by advanced oxidation processes in the removal of NOM has gained great interest; understanding the composition and behaviour of NOM throughout such a kind of processes may allow to get significant insight in order to improve efficiency. In this chapter the main techniques useful for characterization are described, and their use to investigate the changes undergone by NOM throughout several AOPs has been reviewed