| Abstract: | Abstract Citric acid, an additive to an important acrylamide based polymeric flocculant, was found to react with an aqueous solution of chlorine to give several chlorinated propanones, di- and trichloroacetic acid, chloroform, and a number of as yet unidentified chlorine containing compounds. Formation of these alledged carcinogens and mutagens also takes place by treating diluted aqueous solutions of frozen orange juice concentrate with such chlorine solutions. The formation and ratios of the detected chlorinated compounds is pH-dependent. A tentative scheme which could account for these findings is presented. |
