Peroxymonosulfate/chloride disinfection versus sodium hypochlorite disinfection in terms of the formation and estimated cytotoxicity of CX3R-type disinfection by-products under the same dose of free chlorine

•CX3R-type DBP formation is compared between PMS/Cl− and NaClO disinfection.•CX3R-type DBP level in PMS/Cl− is lower than that in NaClO disinfection.•DBP formation pathway during PMS/Cl− disinfection is proposed.•The cytotoxicity from DBPs in PMS/Cl− is lower than that in NaClO disinfection.