Tunnel vision in the drinking water research field - Time for non-targeted analysis implementation?

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Public Health

Background:

• Drinking water contains numerous compounds, but only a few notorious pollutants are regulated.
• Emerging analytical techniques like high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) allow for non-targeted compound detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the potential of HRMS in drinking water research.
• To encourage broader application of HRMS for studying a wider range of pollutants.
• To advocate for data sharing and standardized analytical procedures.

Main Methods:

• Non-targeted analysis of drinking water samples using HRMS.
• Review and synthesis of pilot studies demonstrating HRMS applicability.
• Call for increased research and collaboration in water quality analysis.

Main Results:

• HRMS facilitates comprehensive identification of compounds in drinking water.
• Pilot studies show HRMS is a powerful tool for water quality assessment.
• Current monitoring and regulation focus on a limited scope of contaminants.

Conclusions:

• Wider adoption of HRMS can significantly enhance our understanding of drinking water contaminants.
• Sharing data and establishing quality standards are crucial for advancing water quality research.
• Improved knowledge of water pollutants can inform toxicity assessments, water treatment development, and policy-making.