Drinking water limiting value

Table 4.5.2 Comparison of the concentrations of some trace elements measured in the Meuse River at Eijsden with EQS values and drinking water limits...

In the European Union, because of the general view that there should be no pesticides in drinking water, a precautionary principle is applied, and standards are set as low as is reasonably achievable. EEC directive 98/83/CE for drinking water therefore set limit values at 0.1 /rg/1 for each individual pesticide and 0.5 /rg/1 for total pesticides. For surface water used to produce drinking water, these values are 2 /rg/1 for each individual substance and 5 /rg/1 for total pesticides. 

It must be noted that the international regulatory organizations (World Health Organization (WHO), European Union (EU)/EFSA, the US EPA, etc.) have not established safety limits yet for PFC in drinking water. However, recently, Schriks et al. [106] derived provisional drinking water guideline values for PFOS and PFOA of 0.5 and 5.3 p.g/1, respectively, on the basis of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) values proposed by EFSA (2008). 

The radiological hazard of tritium to operating personnel and the general population is controlled by limiting the rates of exposure and release of material. Maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) of radionucHdes were specified in 1959 by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (79). For purposes of control all tritium is assumed to be tritiated water, the most readily assimilated form. The MPC of tritium ia breathing air (continuous exposure for 40 h/wk) is specified as 185 kBq/mL (5 p.Ci/mL) and the MPC for tritium in drinking water is set at 3.7 GBq/mL (0.1 Ci/mL) (79). The maximum permitted body burden is 37 MBq (one millicurie). Whenever bioassay indicates this value has been exceeded, the individual is withdrawn from further work with tritium until the level of tritium is reduced. 

Exposure-. INGESTION have victim drink milk and water. Do NOT induce vomiting. EYES flush with a gentle stream of water for at least 10 min. And consult an ophthalmologist for further treatment without delay. SKIN wash off the lime and consult a physician Toxicity by Inhalation (Threshold Limit Value)-. Not pertinent Short-Term Exposure Limits-. Not pertinent Toxicity by Ingestion Grade 1 LDjq 5 to 15 g/kg (rat) Late Toxicity None Vapor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics Not pertinent Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics None Odor Threshold Not pertinent. 

There has been an increasing level of nitrate contamination of borehole supplies in the east of England, because of the use of agricultural fertilisers since the Second World War . Nitrates are known to exacerbate certain corrosion processes e.g. at soldered joints however the maximum value allowed for this ion by the EC drinking water directive (50 mg NO3 r ) should limit its significance. 

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