HUMAN EXPOSURE TO WATER CONTAMINANTS
Report No FR0085

M Fielding and R P Packham (Ron Packham Associates)

Apr 1990

SUMMARY

I OBJECTIVE

To provide comparative data on the exposure of consumers to organic contaminants such as pesticides from drinking water and other sources such as food and air.

II REASONS

The presence of a wide range of organic and inorganic chemicals in drinking water has been the source of much concern in recent years and increasingly the topic is in the public eye. All too often the presence of a particular contaminant in drinking water and its possible significance to health is viewed in isolation from other sources of exposure, such as from foodstuffs and the atmosphere. Thus, a more balanced view of consumer exposure to priority contaminants would put the drinking water contribution in proper perspective.

III CONCLUSIONS

The initial study of pesticides in foods led to the following: -in setting limits for pesticides in drinking water there seems to be some justification for assigning more than a very small proportion of the Acceptable Daily Intake to drinking water. This could lead to higher numerical standards;

• one cannot assume that the intake of pesticides from food greatly exceeds that from drinking water;

• the data available in the UK on the intake from food of pesticides of interest with respect to drinking water seems inadequate although wider searches are in progress.

IV RESUME

An initial review of pesticides in Foodstuff was carried out. This was largely based on the official published information in respect of the MAFF Working Party on Pesticide Residues.

Copies of the Report are available from FWR, price £15.00 less 20% to FWR Members