N-Nitrosamines and their precursors in wastewater effluents from selected industries in Spain

N-nitrosamines (NAs), and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in particular, are hazardous disinfection byproducts (DBPs) relevant when wastewater impacts drinking water sources and, in water reuse practices. Our study investigates the concentrations of NDMA and five additional NAs and their precursors in industrial wastewater effluents. Aiming to identify potential differences between industrial typologies, wastewaters from 38 industries belonging to 11 types of the UN International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities system (ISIC) were analysed. Results show that the presence of most NAs and their precursors cannot be linked to a specific industry type as these were in general very different within the classes. Nevertheless, N-nitrosomethylethylamine (NMEA) and N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP) as well as precursors for N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), NPIP and N-nitrosodibuthylamine (NDBA) could be rank with different concentrations between ISIC classes (p-value < 0.05). Specific industrial wastewater with notable high concentrations of NAs and their precursors were identified too. The effluents with the highest concentration of NDMA belong to the ISIC C2011 class (Manufacture of basic chemical), while the effluents with the highest concentration of NDMA precursors were from the ISIC C1511 class (Tanning and dressing of leather; dressing and dyeing of fur). Other relevant NAs found were NDEA in ISIC class B0810 (Quarrying of stone, sand, and clay) and ISIC class C2029 (Manufacture of other chemical products).