Bromate: Concern for developmental neurotoxicity?

2D MXene-Based Nanoscale Materials for Electrochemical Sensing Toward the Detection of Hazardous Pollutants: A Perspective

MXenes (Mn+1XnTx), a subgroup of 2-dimensional (2D) materials, specifically comprise transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides. They exhibit exceptional electrocatalytic and photocatalytic properties, making them well-suited for the detection and removal of pollutants from aqueous environments. Because of their high surface area and remarkable properties, they are being utilized in various applications, including catalysis, sensing, and adsorption, to combat pollution and mitigate its adverse effects. Different characterization techniques like XRD, SEM, TEM, UV-Visible spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy have been used for the structural elucidation of 2D MXene. Current responses against applied potential were measured during the electrochemical sensing of the hazardous pollutants in an aqueous system using a variety of electroanalytical techniques, including differential pulse voltammetry, amperometry, square wave anodic stripping voltammetry, etc. In this review, a comprehensive discussion on structural patterns, synthesis, properties of MXene and their application for electrochemical detection of lethal pollutants like hydroquionone, phenol, catechol, mercury and lead, etc. are presented. This review will be helpful to critically understand the methods of synthesis and application of MXenes for the removal of environmental pollutants.

New aspects in deriving health-based guidance values for bromate in swimming pool water

Bromate, classified as a EU CLP 1B carcinogen, is a typical by-product of the disinfection of drinking and swimming pool water. The aim of this study was (a) to provide data on the occurrence of bromate in pool water, (b) to re-evaluate the carcinogenic MOA of bromate in the light of existing data, (c) to assess the possible exposure to bromate via swimming pool water and (d) to inform the derivation of cancer risk-related bromate concentrations in swimming pool water. Measurements from monitoring analysis of 229 samples showed bromate concentrations in seawater pools up to 34 mg/L. A comprehensive non-systematic literature search was done and the quality of the studies on genotoxicity and carcinogenicity was assessed by Klimisch criteria (Klimisch et al., Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 25:1-5, 1997) and SciRAP tool (Beronius et al., J Appl Toxicol, 38:1460-1470, 2018) respectively. Benchmark dose (BMD) modeling was performed using the modeling average mode in BMDS 3.1 and PROAST 66.40, 67 and 69 (human cancer BMDL10; EFSA 2017). For exposure assessment, data from a wide range of sources were evaluated for their reliability. Different target groups (infants/toddlers, children and adults) and exposure scenarios (recreational, sport-active swimmers, top athletes) were considered for oral, inhalation and dermal exposure. Exposure was calculated according to the frequency of swimming events and duration in water. For illustration, cancer risk-related bromate concentrations in pool water were calculated for different target groups, taking into account their exposure using the hBMDL10 and a cancer risk of 1 in 100,000. Convincing evidence was obtained from a multitude of studies that bromate induces oxidative DNA damage and acts as a clastogen in vitro and in vivo. Since statistical modeling of the available genotoxicity data is compatible with both linear as well as non-linear dose-response relationships, bromate should be conservatively considered to be a non-threshold carcinogen. BMD modeling with model averaging for renal cancer studies (Kurokawa et al., J Natl. Cancer Inst, 1983 and 1986a; DeAngelo et al., Toxicol Pathol 26:587-594, 1998) resulted in a median hBMDL10 of 0.65 mg bromate/kg body weight (bw) per day. Evaluation of different age and activity groups revealed that top athletes had the highest exposure, followed by sport-active children, sport-active adults, infants and toddlers, children and adults. The predominant route of exposure was oral (73-98%) by swallowing water, followed by the dermal route (2-27%), while the inhalation route was insignificant (< 0.5%). Accepting the same risk level for all population groups resulted in different guidance values due to the large variation in exposure. For example, for an additional risk of 1 in 100,000, the bromate concentrations would range between 0.011 for top athletes, 0.015 for sport-active children and 2.1 mg/L for adults. In conclusion, the present study shows that health risks due to bromate exposure by swimming pool water cannot be excluded and that large differences in risk exist depending on the individual swimming habits and water concentrations.

Electrochemical Sensors for Determination of Bromate in Water and Food Samples-Review

The application of potassium bromate in the baking industry is used in most parts of the world to avert the human health compromise that characterizes bromates carcinogenic effect. Herein, various methods of its analysis, especially the electrochemical methods of bromate detection, were extensively discussed. Amperometry (AP), cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), electrochemiluminescence (ECL), differential pulse voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are the techniques that have been deployed for bromate detection in the last two decades, with 50%, 23%, 7.7%, 7.7%, 7.7% and 3.9% application, respectively. Despite the unique electrocatalytic activity of metal phthalocyanine (MP) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs), only few sensors based on MP and CQDs are available compared to the conducting polymers, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), metal (oxide) and graphene-based sensors. This review emboldens the underutilization of CQDs and metal phthalocyanines as sensing materials and briefly discusses the future perspective on MP and CQDs application in bromate detection via EIS.

Degradation of bromate by Fe(II)Ti(IV) layered double hydroxides nanoparticles under ultraviolet light

The photocatalytic decomposition of bromate (BrO₃^-), a possible human carcinogen, has attracted much attention because of its high efficiency and easier combination with ultraviolet (UV) disinfection in water treatment plants. In this study, the Fe(II)Ti(IV) layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been made through a facile hydrothermal method and used as an alternative photocatalyst for reduction of BrO₃^-. LDHs prepared at a Fe/Ti molar ratio of ∼0.5 and pH 7.0, denoted as FeTi-0.5 (pH 7.0), exhibited the highest BrO₃^- removal efficiency (removal rate constant = 0.067 ± 0.002 min^-1) compared to commercial TiO₂ and the LDHs prepared at different pHs or different Fe/Ti ratios. The presence of alcohols in water enhanced the photocatalytic reduction of BrO₃^- due to the greater abundance of electrons caused by alcohols effectively reacting with holes. The neutral pH also favors the degradation of BrO₃^-. However, the presence of nitrate and nitrite can inhibit the degradation process, due to their reactions with hydrated electrons (e_aq^-) and hydrogen atom radicals (H∙). Cyclic degradation runs and magnetic separation techniques demonstrated the superior reusability of the FeTi-0.5 (pH 7.0) LDH for BrO₃^- removal. The removal rate of BrO₃^- under UV was higher than that without UV, indicating that the decomposition proceeded primarily via a photo-reductive mechanism induced by e_aq^- and H∙ and thus degradation pathways are proposed. Moreover, when tested in tap water, greater than 90% of BrO₃^- was removed after 60 min reaction in UV/FeTi-0.5 (pH 7.0) LDH systems in the presence of 5‰ (v/v) methanol. This demonstrates the high potential for such systems for removing BrO₃^- from disinfected drinking water. This work may shed lights on the design of effective photocatalysts for the enhanced degradation of BrO₃^- in water plants and the influence of constituents in raw water on the treatment.

Investigation of the Halogenate-Hydrogen Peroxide Reactions Using the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spin Trapping Technique

The differences in the mechanism of the halogenate reactions with the same oxidizing/reducing agent, such as H₂O₂ contribute to the better understanding of versatile halogen chemistry. The reaction between iodate, bromate, and chlorate with hydrogen peroxide in acidic medium at 60 °C is investigated by using the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping technique. Essential differences in the chemistry of iodate, bromate, and chlorate in their reactions with hydrogen peroxide have been evidenced by finding different radicals as governing intermediates. The reaction between KIO₃ and H₂O₂ is supposed to be the source of IO₂^• radicals. The KBrO₃ and H₂O₂ reaction did not produce any EPR signal, whereas the KClO₃-H₂O₂ system was found to be a source of HO^• radical. Moreover, KClO₃ dissolved in sulfuric acid without hydrogen peroxide produced HO^• radical as well. The minimal-core models explaining the origin of obtained EPR signals are proposed. Current findings suggested the inclusion of IO₂^• and HOO^• radicals, and ClO₂^• and HO^• radicals in the particular kinetic models of iodate-hydrogen peroxide and chlorate-hydrogen peroxide systems, as well as possible exclusion of BrO₂^• radical from the kinetic scheme of the bromate-hydrogen peroxide system. Obtained results may pave the way for understanding more complex, nonlinear reactions of these halogen-containing species.

An overview of advanced reduction processes for bromate removal from drinking water: Reducing agents, activation methods, applications and mechanisms

Bromate (BrO₃^-) is a possible human carcinogen regulated at a strict standard of 10μg/L in drinking water. Various techniques to eliminate BrO₃^- usually fall into three main categories: reducing bromide (Br^-) prior to formation of BrO₃^-, minimizing BrO₃^- formation during the ozonation process, and removing BrO₃^- from post-ozonation waters. However, the first two approaches exhibit low degradation efficiency and high treatment cost. The third workaround has obvious advantages, such as high reduction efficiency, more stable performance and easier combination with UV disinfection, and has therefore been widely implemented in water treatment. Recently, advanced reduction processes (ARPs), the photocatalysis of BrO₃^-, have attracted much attention due to improved performance. To increase the feasibility of photocatalytic systems, the focus of this work concerns new technological developments, followed by a summary of reducing agents, activation methods, operational parameters, and applications. The reaction mechanisms of two typical processes involving UV/sulfite homogeneous photocatalysis and UV/titanium dioxide heterogeneous photocatalysis are further summarized. The future research needs for ARPs to reach full-scale potential in drinking water treatment are suggested accordingly.

Manganese porphyrin sensor for the determination of bromate

The electro reductive behavior and determination of bromate on [5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis (4-methoxyphenylporphyrinato] Manganese (III) chloride (TMOPPMn(III)Cl) modified Gold electrode(GE) was investigated by Square wave voltammetry (SWV). Bromate showed an irreversible reduction peak at -164 mV in 0.1 M pH 7 Na2SO4 solution. The cathodic peak of bromate showed a reduction in potential of 88 mV on modifying GE with a porphyrin film. The peak current varied linearly with concentration with a detection limit of 3.56 × 10(-9) M. The influence of pH, scan rate, supporting electrolyte and interferents on the reduction peak current of bromate were studied. The developed sensor was proposed for the determination of bromate in bread samples and compared with the standard method.

The first tritopic bridging ligand 1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)-benzene (H3BTB) functionalized porous polyoxometalate-based metal–organic framework (POMOF): from design, synthesis to electrocatalytic properties

A POMOF with substantial catalytic activity towards bromate reduction was isolated through the extension of transition-metal-grafted ε-Keggin by a tripodal ligand H₃BTB.

The effect of different boiling and filtering devices on the concentration of disinfection by-products in tap water

Disinfection by-products (DBPs) are ubiquitous contaminants in tap drinking water with the potential to produce adverse health effects. Filtering and boiling tap water can lead to changes in the DBP concentrations and modify the exposure through ingestion. Changes in the concentration of 4 individual trihalomethanes (THM4) (chloroform (TCM), bromodichloromethane (BDCM), dibromochloromethane (DBCM), and bromoform (TBM)), MX, and bromate were tested when boiling and filtering high bromine-containing tap water from Barcelona. For filtering, we used a pitcher-type filter and a household reverse osmosis filter; for boiling, an electric kettle, a saucepan, and a microwave were used. Samples were taken before and after each treatment to determine the change in the DBP concentration. pH, conductivity, and free/total chlorine were also measured. A large decrease of THM4 (from 48% to 97%) and MX concentrations was observed for all experiments. Bromine-containing trihalomethanes were mostly eliminated when filtering while chloroform when boiling. There was a large decrease in the concentration of bromate with reverse osmosis, but there was a little effect in the other experiments. These findings suggest that the exposure to THM4 and MX through ingestion is reduced when using these household appliances, while the decrease of bromate is device dependent. This needs to be considered in the exposure assessment of the epidemiological studies.

Low-level bromate analysis in drinking water by ion chromatography with optimized suppressed conductivity cell current followed by a post-column reaction and UV/Vis detection

In the present work, a high capacity anion exchange column was used to efficiently and simultaneously separate traces of oxyhalide disinfection byproducts (DBP) anions and bromide by an ion chromatography system followed by a post-column reaction (PCR). The PCR generates in situ hydroiodic (HI) acid from the excess of potassium iodate that combines with bromate from the column effluent to form the triiodide anion detectable by UV/Vis absorbance at 352 nm. The suppressed conductivity cell current was optimized at 70 mA, with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and a 9 mM carbonate eluent. Its performance was investigated on a trace-level determination of bromate in ozonated municipal and bottled drinking water. Based on ozonated municipal drinking water matrix, the method detection limit of 0.27 μg BrO(-)(3)/L was evaluated with the Method Quantification Limit (MQL) of 0.89 μg BrO(-)(3)/L. However, in ultrapure water, a MDL of 0.015 μg BrO(-)(3)/L and a MRL of 0.052 μg BrO(-)(3)/L were achieved. The recovery for spiked municipal samples was in the range of 90%-115%.

Phosphomolybdate-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes as effective mediating systems for electrocatalytic reduction of bromate

Electrocatalytic properties (towards reduction of bromate in 0.5moldm(-3) H(2)SO(4)) of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) modified with phosphododecamolybdate (PMo(12)) monolayers have been diagnosed using cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The ability of negatively charged PMo(12)-modified CNTs to attract electrostatically ultra-thin, positively charged conducting polymer (PEDOT or polypyrrole) structures is explored to grow in controlled manner hybrid organic-inorganic network electrocatalytic films. Due to the presence of three-dimensionally distributed CNTs, the films' conductivity and porosity are improved. The hybrid systems utilizing polypyrrole, rather than PEDOT, have produced fairly higher bromate electroreduction catalytic currents. Comparison is also made to Nafion-stabilized dispersion of PMo(12)-modified CNTs inks. The latter system is characterized by good stability and relatively the highest sensitivities with respect to bromate concentration.

Research strategy for developing key information on bromate's mode of action

Bromate is produced when ozone is used to treat waters that contain trace amounts of bromide ion. It is also a contaminant of hypochlorite solutions produced by electrolysis of salt that contains bromide. Both ozone and hypochlorite are extensively used to disinfect drinking water, a process that is credited with reducing the incidence of waterborne infections diseases around the world. In studies on experimental animals, bromate has been consistently demonstrated to induce cancer, although there is evidence of substantial species differences in sensitivity (rat>mouse>hamster). There are no data to indicate bromate is carcinogenic in humans. An issue that is critical to the continued use of ozone as a disinfectant for drinking water in bromide-containing waters depends heavily on whether current predictions of carcinogenic risk based on carcinogenic responses in male rats treated with bromate are accurate at the much lower exposure levels of humans. Thiol-dependent oxidative damage to guanine in DNA is a plausible mode of action for bromate-induced cancer. However, other mechanisms may contribute to the response, including the accumulation of alpha2u-globulin in the kidney of the male rat. To provide direction to institutions that have an interest in clarifying the toxicological risks that bromate in drinking water might pose, a workshop funded by the Awwa Research Foundation was convened to lay out a research strategy that, if implemented, could clarify this important public health issue. The technical issues that underlie the deliberations of the workshop are provided in a series of technical papers. The present manuscript summarizes the conclusions of the workgroup with respect to the type and timing of research that should be conducted. The research approach is outlined in four distinct phases that lay out alternative directions as the research plan is implemented. Phase I is designed to quantify pre-systemic degradation, absorption, distribution, and metabolism of bromate and to associate these with key events for the induction of cancer and develop an initial pharmacokinetic (PK) model based on preliminary studies. Phase II will be implemented if it appears that there is a linear relationship between external dose and key event responses and is designed to gather carcinogenesis data in female rats in the absence of alpha2u-globulin-induced nephropathy which the workgroup concluded was a probable contributor to the responses observed in the male rats for which detailed dose-response data were collected. If the key events and external dosimetry are found not to be linear in Phase I, Phase III is initiated with a screening study of the auditory toxicity of bromate to determine if it is likely to be exacerbated by chronic exposure. If this occurs, auditory toxicity will be further evaluated in Phase IV. If auditory toxicity is determined unlikely to occur, an alternative chronic study in female rats to the one identified in Phase II will be implemented to include exposure in utero. This was recommended to address the possibility that the fetus may be more susceptible. One of the three options are to be implemented in Phase IV depending upon whether preliminary data indicated that chronic auditory toxicity, reproductive and/or developmental toxicities, or a combination of these outcomes is necessary to characterize the toxicology of low dose exposures to bromate. Each phase of the research will be accompanied by further development of pharmacokinetic models to guide collection of appropriate data to meet the needs of the more sophisticated studies. It is suggested that a Bayesian approach be utilized to develop a final risk model based upon measurement of prior observations from the Phase I studies and the set of posterior observations that would be obtained from whichever chronic study is conducted.