Bromate In Packaged Drinking Water

Though tested more than an year back by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a doctor citing excess levels of bromate in packaged drinking water.

BARC found that 27 per cent of the samples they tested in Mumbai had more than permissible level of Bromate, which is known to have carcinogenic effects. Such bad effects indicate symptoms of weight reduction and renal mal function. The World Health Organization (WHO) has kept the safe limit upto 10 microgram per litre in drinking water while subject samples tested had 10.7 microgram per litre.

The report harped on concerned authorities to lay down standards for bromate, chlorate and bromide concentration in packaged drinking water under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The report , though was prepared in 2015, no significant action on it was taken . Doctor from Mumbai , requested NHRC to take note of the same research report.

The NHRC has now asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to submit a report on this in four weeks.