Volatile halocarbons in tap water as a problem in haemodialysis therapy

The concentrations of volatile halocarbons in the tap water of Turku and of Turku University Central Hospital are quite high and are reduced but not eliminated during water treatment at the hospital. Before haemodialysis is started, only trichloromethane is found in the blood of the patients. Two hours later dichlorobromomethane and dibromochloromethane could also be found. These substances are absorbed, and possibly accumulate, in the body or are metabolised and excreted because all their concentrations are lower at the end of dialysis therapy. Therefore, maximum levels for volatile halocarbons in drinking water should be sufficiently low to prevent these substances being detected in body fluids and special care should be taken with hospital water.