Aluminum in drinking water: Occurrence, sources and health aspects. Aluminium in drinkwater: Voorkomen, herkomst en gezondheidsaspecten

The report describes the results of a survey into the occurrence of aluminum in purified drinking water and filtered and non-filtered raw water. In the survey 40 drinking water treatment facilities were involved. In drinking water the aluminum concentration varied between < 0.8 and 157 micrograms/l, while in 12% of the samples the level exceeded 30 micrograms/l (at this level the health authorities have to be warned because of haemodialysis patients). The EC-standard which is 200 micrograms/l was not exceeded. In general the aluminum levels in 1991, were not increased in comparison with the data from 1983; however there were a few exceptions. At the present level of knowledge on the health aspects of aluminum, the measured concentrations give no reason to expect effects on public health.