Disinfection by-products formation and ecotoxicological effects of effluents treated with peracetic acid: A review

Peracetic acid (PAA) has gained increasing attention over the last decades as a suitable and environmentally-friendly alternative to chlorine-based compounds for wastewater disinfection, claiming limited disinfection by-products (DBPs) formed and no persistent residues in the environment. The present work aims at presenting a comprehensive and updated review of the ecotoxicological effects of effluents treated with PAA, to be ascribed to residual PAA and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and DBP formation. Modest concentrations of DBPs have been observed after PAA treatment, mainly carboxylic acids, which are not recognized as genotoxic. Moreover, there is no evidence of any endocrine disruption potential of PAA in human health or in the ecotoxicological studies. The associated H2O2fraction can potentially minimize the formation of halogenated DBPs and also contribute to the acute toxic effects of treated effluents. Effluents disinfected with PAA at concentrations typical of the wastewater treatment field have displayed limited toxic, mutagenic and genotoxic effects on different aquatic organisms, particularly low compared to chlorine-based disinfectants.