TITLE:
Health Risk Assessment for Bromate (BrO3–) Traces in Ozonated Indian Bottled Water
AUTHORS:
Ajay Kumar, Sabyasachi Rout, R.K. Singhal
KEYWORDS:
Bromide, Bromate, Excess Cancer Risk, Chemical Toxicity Risk, Bottled Water
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.2 No.5,
July
20,
2011
ABSTRACT: For this study, bromide and bromate ions in various commercial brands of Indian bottled water samples were estimated using ion chromatography. The measured mean concentration of bromide and bromate ions in water samples was found to be 28.13 µg/L and 11.17 µg/L respectively. The average level of bromate in Indian bottled water was found to be slightly higher (~ 12%) than the acceptable limits (10 µg/L) recommended by USEPA (US Environmental Protection Agency). Though, kinetically, it is predicted that 62.5% (6.25 µg/L) of bromide in bottled water is needed to convert into bromate upon ozonation to exceed the minimum acceptable limits, but the average formation of bromate determined to be only 26.77% of the predicted concentration. Bromate concentration in bottled water showed a strong correlation with bromide suggesting that its formation in water is very much influenced and controlled by bromide content. The objective of the present study was to determine the BrO3–) content of commercially available different brands of bottled drinking water in India and to estimate the health risks to population due to ingestion. Results of estimated excess cancer risk and chemical toxicity risk to Indian population due to ingestion of bottled water were presented and discussed.