On the content and control of silicon in water sources and drinking water (literature review)

Abstract

Introduction. The problem of the presence of silicon in water sources and drinking water remains relevant, since there is still no sufficient understanding of the role of silicon contained in drinking water in the prevention and development of human diseases, there is no consensus on the need to establish hygienic maximum concentration limits for silicon and the feasibility of monitoring the silicon content in water. There are two opposing points of view on the effect of silicon presented in drinking water: on its definitely positive effects, and on its negative impact on human health. None of these points of view is fully confirmed and definitively proven.
 Literature Search Methods. Literature search methods on Scopus, CyberLeninka, PubMed databases: selective, analytical-synthetic, typological.
 The main part. The review provides evidence of the importance of controlling the content of silicon in drinking water. The results of a number of studies devoted to assessing the ability of silicon supplied with drinking water to counteract the toxic effect of aluminum on brain tissue, thus reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, are considered. Examples are given of studying the possible relationship between silicon content in drinking water and an increase in cases of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (on the examples of India and Indonesia), and the data on the negative health effects of long-term drinking of silicon-containing water in the silicon province of Chuvashia. Information is also given on the content of silicon in the water of water sources and drinking water in the Russian Federation and abroad, also the currently used methods for the analytical control of silicon in water.
 Conclusion. The problem of the content and control of silicon in drinking water and water sources includes many unresolved issues, which will be considered by the joint actions of toxicologists, epidemiologists, chemists, specialists in hygiene and sanitary protection of water bodies.