Public Health Implications of Bromate in Botled Water 02

Given that these studies show that bromate is a non-threshold carcinogen, the model-free extrapolation method can be used. Using this method, one can calculate that the unit lifetime excess cancer risk associated with the ingestion of bromate at a concentration of 1/L in drinking water ranges from 1.55 ?10-6 to 2.19 ?10-6 based on renal cell tumors in rats.Is it unsafe to drink water containing bromate?Based on the best available scientific data bromide does not seem to pose an immediate health risk to individuals. But, caution must be exercised in the use of bottled drinking water containing bromate exceeding the legal limits. No long term studies have been done to confirm or deny the health risks associated with bromate exposure. However, individuals such as women who are of child bearing age, pregnant, immunocompromised persons, young children and the aged may be particularly susceptible to bromide toxicity and may experience nausea,

vomiting, abdominal pain, anuria, diarrhea, CNS depression, hemolytic anemia, pulmonary edema, renal failure and deafness. The precautionary principle should also be applied as to whether or not bottled water suspected of bromide contamination should be consumed. The precautionary principle states that if bromate in bottled water is not proven safe, then it should not be used until further scientific evidence proves otherwise.Should I stop drinking water with bromate?Consumers should be concerned about the presence of bromate in bottled water because bromate is probably carcinogenic to humans and animals. Both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have set bromate standards for public drinking water and bottled water.


It would be in the best interest of human health and safety to avoid bottled water containing bromate at levels that exceed the stipulated standards and regulatory requirements. The FDA, EPA and WHO have stipulated a 10/L requirement for bottled water.How to avoid bromate in bottled water?What can consumers do? Avoid consuming bottled water containing both ozone and bromide. Avoid consuming bottled water using ozone as a disinfectant. Avoid consuming mineral water or other bottled waters which has been ozonated. Read labels on bottled waters carefully before consuming. If in doubt about the bromate content in bottled waters, avoid consuming.What can the water industries do? Reformulate. Use new and improved technology such as nanotechnology to develop membrane and ion exchange filtration systems to eliminate bromate formation. Limit the doses of ozone. Switching to atmospheric tank contact system. Reduce the source and concentration of organic precursors. Control ozone contact time. Control ozone/dissolved organic carbon ratio.What can regulatory agencies worldwide do?