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== CONSUMPTION OF LOW TDS WATER ==

== Consumption of Low TDS Water ==

A COMMITTEE REPORT BY WATER QUALITY ASSOCIATION SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 1992-1993

A COMMITTEE REPORT BY WATER QUALITY ASSOCIATION SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 1992-1993

With Review By Dr. Lee T. Rozelle and Dr. Ronald L. Wathen, M.D. MARCH 1993

With Review By Dr. Lee T. Rozelle and Dr. Ronald L. Wathen, M.D. MARCH 1993

=== INTRODUCTION ===

=== Introduction ===

Since the beginning of time, water has been both praised for good health and blamed for human ills. We now know the real functions of water in the human body are to serve as a solvent and medium for the transport of nutrients and wastes to and from cells throughout the body, a regulator of temperature, a lubricator of joints and other tissues, and a participant in our body's biochemical reactions. It is the H20 in water and not the dissolved and suspended minerals and other constituents that carry out these functions.

Since the beginning of time, water has been both praised for good health and blamed for human ills. We now know the real functions of water in the human body are to serve as a solvent and medium for the transport of nutrients and wastes to and from cells throughout the body, a regulator of temperature, a lubricator of joints and other tissues, and a participant in our body's biochemical reactions. It is the H20 in water and not the dissolved and suspended minerals and other constituents that carry out these functions.

The scope of this paper is limited to answering whether low TDS water contributes to the loss of minerals from body tissues, producing associated harmful side effects. The types of minerals --e.g., calcium versus sodium, or hard water versus soft water-- and the toxicity of minerals- -e.g., lead, cadmium, brackish, or saline waters -- are not an issue in this report. Information on the body's homeostasis mechanisms, community water supplies with natural TDS less than 50 mg/L, historic use of distilled water with less than three mg/L TDS on board Navy ships, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's response to this issue, and other evidence are presented to demonstrate that the consumption of water with low levels of minerals is safe.

The scope of this paper is limited to answering whether low TDS water contributes to the loss of minerals from body tissues, producing associated harmful side effects. The types of minerals --e.g., calcium versus sodium, or hard water versus soft water-- and the toxicity of minerals- -e.g., lead, cadmium, brackish, or saline waters -- are not an issue in this report. Information on the body's homeostasis mechanisms, community water supplies with natural TDS less than 50 mg/L, historic use of distilled water with less than three mg/L TDS on board Navy ships, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's response to this issue, and other evidence are presented to demonstrate that the consumption of water with low levels of minerals is safe.

=== ESTABLISHED DRINKING WATER STANDARDS ===

=== Established Drinking Water Standards ===

A review was conducted of the United States, Canadian, World Health Organization (WHO) and European Community (EC) drinking water standards. None of them has minimum limits or optimum levels of total dissolved solids. The U.S. recommended maximum level is 500 mg/L, the Canadian guideline suggests less than 1, 000 mg/L, and the EC maximum admissible concentration (MAC) is 1,500 mg/L (for "dry residues"). The EC standards also list numbers for calcium (guide level of 100 mg/L) and magnesium (guide level of 30 mg/L., and MAC of 50 mg/L), and a minimum for hardness (minimum required concentration for softened water of 60 mg/L as Ca), and alkalinity (minimum required concentration for softened water of 30 mg/L HCOr). However, there is no health criteria documentation for these advisories. These levels are listed as aids to operation for water supply systems, i.e., suggested parameters for laying down a passivating film of scale in municipal distribution mains. Calcium, magnesium, hardness, and alkalinity conditions are not necessary for judging the safety of drinking water. It is understood that the association of European water suppliers, Bureau, is moving to exclude these parameters from the European legally enforceable limits.

A review was conducted of the United States, Canadian, World Health Organization (WHO) and European Community (EC) drinking water standards. None of them has minimum limits or optimum levels of total dissolved solids. The U.S. recommended maximum level is 500 mg/L, the Canadian guideline suggests less than 1, 000 mg/L, and the EC maximum admissible concentration (MAC) is 1,500 mg/L (for "dry residues"). The EC standards also list numbers for calcium (guide level of 100 mg/L) and magnesium (guide level of 30 mg/L., and MAC of 50 mg/L), and a minimum for hardness (minimum required concentration for softened water of 60 mg/L as Ca), and alkalinity (minimum required concentration for softened water of 30 mg/L HCOr). However, there is no health criteria documentation for these advisories. These levels are listed as aids to operation for water supply systems, i.e., suggested parameters for laying down a passivating film of scale in municipal distribution mains. Calcium, magnesium, hardness, and alkalinity conditions are not necessary for judging the safety of drinking water. It is understood that the association of European water suppliers, Bureau, is moving to exclude these parameters from the European legally enforceable limits.

=== THE NATURAL CONTROL OF MINERAL CONCENTRATION IN THE HUMAN BODY ===

=== The Natural Control of Mineral Concentration In The Human Body ===

A better understanding of the effect of low TDS water on the human body requires a basic understanding of the body's mechanism in this respect. Following is a description of the relevant mechanism.

A better understanding of the effect of low TDS water on the human body requires a basic understanding of the body's mechanism in this respect. Following is a description of the relevant mechanism.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Guyton, Arthur L., M.D. Textbook of Medical Psychology Eighth Edition, W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia (1991).

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Guyton, Arthur L., M.D. Textbook of Medical Psychology Eighth Edition, W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia (1991).

=== LITERATURE SEARCH AND REVIEW ===

=== Literature Search and Review ===

* During the last 12 months, several literature searches have been undertaken to bring out studies, reports, reviews, and related information that may be of value to reach conclusions that would be scientifically supportable. These searches can be outlined as follows:

* During the last 12 months, several literature searches have been undertaken to bring out studies, reports, reviews, and related information that may be of value to reach conclusions that would be scientifically supportable. These searches can be outlined as follows: