A Critical Study on Phenol and Phenolic Derivatives in Shitalakshya River Water and in Portable Water System at Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Phenolic compounds have been recognized as priority pollutants with significant environmental and health impacts due to their toxicity and carcinogenic properties. Phenol and a few phenolic derivatives (2-methyl phenol, 3-methyl phenol, 2-methoxy phenol) were investigated in water samples from the Shitalakshya river and Dhaka City Corporation's water supply system. Sixteen water samples were collected from five sampling sites along the Shitalakshya river (including surface and 60 cm depth samples) and seven locations within Dhaka city's water distribution network. Analysis was performed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) following liquid-liquid extraction with dichloromethane. Phenol concentrations were found ranging from <0.0003 ppb (below minimum detection limit) to 1.25 ppb, with the highest levels detected in the 60 cm depth water at Siddirgonj Salurghat station whereas 3-methyl phenol exhibited the highest concentration among all investigated compounds, reaching 2.73 ppb at the surface water of Siddirgonj Salurghat station. In tap water samples, phenol was detected in Fakirapool (0.5 ppb) and Segunbagicha (0.24 ppb) regions. The recovery rates ranged from 54.24% to 96.12% for the investigated compounds. Although most concentrations were below permissible limits, the detection of these carcinogenic compounds in drinking water sources calls for continued monitoring and identification of their sources.