10 - Contribution of Mineral and Tap Water to the Dietary Intake of As, B, Ca, Ce, Cu, F, La, Li, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, U, and Zn by Humans

Abstract

Bottled mineral waters are a popular beverage. In relation to the spring mineral waters it contains varying amounts of essential, beneficial, and potentially detrimental elements. In particular, mineral waters with a high content of total dissolved solids (TDSs) show highest mean elemental concentrations. With respect to the tolerable daily intake (TDI), consumers in Germany might ingest Li and Mo with tap water that exceeds the TDI values of 1800 and 630μg/day, respectively, so the consumption of mineral water can be recommendable. Consumers ingest significant amounts of U with mineral water and potable water while the intake by solid food is distinctly lower and shows a much smaller bandwidth. Agricultural practices contribute worldwide to an enrichment of U in water bodies which poses a serious threat to the water quality of mineral water. This chapter summarizes the contribution of water and solid food in relation to the nutritional style on the intake of As, B, Ca, Ce, Cu, F, La, Li, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, U, and Zn.