a b s t r a c t
A simple ,selective and sensitive method for the analysis of the strong mutagen 3-chloro-4-(di-
chloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone(MX)and its brominated analogues (BMXs) in chlorine-trea-
ted water has been developed. The method is based on gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole
tandem mass spectrometry (GC-QqQ-MS/MS), previous liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) of a smaller sample
volume compared to other methods and on-line derivatization with a silylation reactive. GC-QqQ-MS/MS
has been raised as analternative easier to perform than gas chromatography coupled to high resolution
mass spectrometry (GC–HRMS) for the analysis of MX and BMXs, and it allows to achieve low LODs
(0.3 ng/L for MX and 0.4–0.9 ng/L for BMXs).This technique had not been previously described for the
analysis of MX and BMXs.
Quality parameters were calculated and real samples related to 3 drinking water treatment plants
(DWTPs),tap water and both untreated and chlorinated groundwater were analyzed. Concentrations of
0.3–6.6 ng/L for MX and1.0–7.3ng/L for BMXs were detected. Results were discussed according to five of
the main factors affecting MX and BMXs for mation in chlorine-treated water(organic precursors, in-
fluence of bromide ions, evolution of MX and BMXs in the drinking water distribution system,
ground water chlorination and infiltration of water coming from chlorination processes in groundwater).