Pesticides can be found at microgram levels in ground water or surface water. They usually come from intensive agricultural activities.
The most common pesticides found in water are Atrazine, DDT, lindane, Carbofuran, etc…
In natural waters, pesticides are present at ppb (microgram/L) level. Most of them are hydrophobic and easily removed by adsorption on activated carbon filters.
In case of large amounts or large plant capacities, nanofiltration can be a better adapted technology, avoiding hassle of media replacement.
Pesticides in drinking water guidelines:
|
Substance |
Formula |
Health based guideline by the WHO |
|
|
Alachlor |
C14 H20 Cl N O2 |
20 μg/l |
|
|
Aldicarb |
C7 H14 N2 O4 S |
10 μg/l |
|
|
Aldrin and dieldrin |
C12 H8 Cl6/ C12 H8 Cl6 O |
0.03 μg/l |
|
|
Atrazine |
C8 H14 Cl N5 |
2 μg/l |
|
|
Bentazone |
C10 H12 N2 O3 S |
30 μg/l |
|
|
Carbofuran |
C12 H15 N O3 |
5 μg/l |
|
|
Chlordane |
C10 H6 Cl8 |
0.2 μg/l |
|
|
Chlorotoluron |
C10 H13 Cl N2 O |
30 μg/l |
|
|
DDT |
C14 H9 Cl5 |
2 μg/l |
|
|
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane |
C3 H5 Br2 Cl |
1 μg/l |
|
|
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) |
C8 H6 Cl2 O3 |
30 μg/l |
|
|
1,2-Dichloropropane |
C3 H6 Cl2 |
No guideline |
|
|
1,3-Dichloropropane |
C3 H6 Cl2 |
20 μg/l |
|
|
1,3-Dichloropropene |
CH3 CHClCH2 Cl |
No guideline |
|
|
Ethylene dibromide (EDB) |
Br CH2 CH2 Br |
No guideline |
|
|
Heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide |
C10 H5 Cl7 |
0.03 μg/l |
|
|
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) |
C10 H5 Cl7 O |
1 μg/l |
|
|
Isoproturon |
C12 H18 N2 O |
9 μg/l |
|
|
Lindane |
C6 H6 Cl6 |
2 μg/l |
|
|
MCPA |
C9 H9 Cl O3 |
2 μg/l |
|
|
Methoxychlor |
(C6H4OCH3)2CHCCl3 |
20 μg/l |
|
|
Metolachlor |
C15 H22 Cl N O2 |
10 μg/l |
|
|
Molinate |
C9 H17 N O S |
6 μg/l |
|
|
Pendimethalin |
C13 H19 O4 N3 |
20 μg/l |
|
|
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) |
C6 H Cl5 O |
9 μg/l |
|
|
Permethrin |
C21 H20 Cl2 O3 |
20 μg/l |
|
|
Propanil |
C9 H9 Cl2 N O |
20 μg/l |
|
|
Pyridate |
C19H23ClN2O2S |
100 μg/l |
|
|
Simazine |
C7 H12 Cl N5 |
2 μg/l |
|
|
Trifluralin |
C13 H16 F3 N3 O4 |
20 μg/l |
|
|
Chlorophenoxy herbicides (excluding 2,4-D and MCPA) |
2,4-DB |
C10 H10 Cl2 O3 |
90 μg/l |
|
Dichlorprop |
C9 H8 Cl2 03 |
100 μg/l |
|
|
Fenoprop |
C9H7Cl3O3 |
9 μg/l |
|
|
MCPB |
C11 H13 Cl O3 |
No guideline |
|
|
Mecoprop |
C10H11ClO3 |
10 μg/l |
|
|
2,4,5-T |
C8 H5 Cl3 O3 |
9 μg/l |
|
