Which of the following contaminants does the Disinfectants/Disinfection By-Products Rule particularly focus on?

The Disinfectants/Disinfection By-Products Rule (DBPR) specifically focuses on contaminants that are formed when disinfectants used in water treatment react with naturally occurring organic matter in the water. Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) are a major group of these disinfection by-products. They include compounds such as chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform, all of which can be harmful to human health if present in drinking water at elevated levels.

The regulation is aimed at managing the levels of TTHMs in drinking water systems to ensure safety and protect public health. This rule is crucial because, while disinfection is necessary to kill pathogens and ensure safe drinking water, the by-products of this process need to be controlled to minimize health risks associated with long-term consumption. Monitoring and limiting the concentration of TTHMs helps utilities balance effective pathogen control with the risk of exposure to harmful disinfection by-products.