Fluoride intake through consumption of tap water and bottled water in Belgium

Abstract

There is a tendency to align higher levels of fluoride in natural mineral water with the existing higher levels in tap water. Treatment of natural mineral waters could harm the preservation of their natural character. In this study fluoride intake through bottled and tap water consumption in the Belgian adult population was assessed, taking into account regional differences. A deterministic approach was used whereby consumption quantities of tap water and different brands of bottled water were linked with their respective fluoride concentrations. Data from the national food consumption survey (2004) were used and the Nusser methodology was applied to obtain usual intake estimates.Mean intake of fluoride through total water consumption in Flanders was 1.4+/-0.7 mg/day (97.5(th) percentile: 3.1 mg/day), while in the Walloon region it was on average 0.9+/-0.6 mg/day (97.5(th) percentile: 2.4 mg/day). The probability of exceeding the UL of 7 mg per day via a normal diet was estimated to be low. Consequently, there is no need to revise the existing norms, but higher fluoride concentrations should be more clearly indicated on the labels. Reliable data about total dietary fluoride intake in children, including intake of fluoride via tooth paste and food supplements, are needed.

Keywords: Belgium; exposure assessment; fluoride; food consumption survey.

Figure 1

Fluoride intake (mg/day) through consumption of tap water and bottled water by sex, for Flanders (up) and the Walloon region (including Brussels) (below).

Figure 2

Fluoride intake (mg/day) through consumption of tap water and bottled water by age group, for Flanders (up) and the Walloon region (including Brussels) (below).