Water quality criteria for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Toxicology
• Public Health

Background:

• 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a munitions compound frequently found in water near military sites.
• TNT contamination can impact local drinking water supplies and pose risks to human health.
• Primary toxic effects in humans include impacts on the hematologic system and liver, alongside gastrointestinal issues and cataracts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the available literature on the metabolism and toxicity of TNT in humans and animals.
• To derive an ambient water quality criterion for the protection of human health from TNT exposure.
• To propose specific water quality criteria for scenarios involving consumption of both contaminated water and fish, and for drinking water alone.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of existing health effects data for TNT, including human and animal toxicity studies.
• Application of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methodologies for deriving water quality criteria.
• Utilizing noncarcinogenic mammalian toxicity data to establish safe exposure limits.

Main Results:

• No controlled human studies on acute or chronic TNT toxicity exist.
• Sufficient animal toxicity data are available to derive health-protective water quality criteria.
• A proposed ambient water quality criterion of 135 micrograms/liter is recommended when both contaminated water and fish consumption are anticipated.
• A criterion of 140 micrograms/liter is proposed for drinking water alone.

Conclusions:

• Ambient water quality criteria for TNT are necessary to protect public health from contaminated drinking water sources.
• Animal toxicity data provide a basis for establishing regulatory limits for TNT in water.
• The proposed criteria offer guidance for managing risks associated with TNT contamination in aquatic environments.