Determination of bromate in bottled water marketed in Iran by ion chromatography

Abstract

Bottled water is common in most countries in the world. According to high consumption and widely consumers from children to older adults safety of it is very important. Bromate (BrO3­) is one of the most important contaminants in bottled water which national and international standards have set permissible level (10 µg/L). In this study, 168 samples of bottled water (mineral and drinking based on Iranian national standard classification) from Iran’s market were collected and analyzed for bromate content. Ion chromatography with conductivity detector was applied for chemical analysis. 23.8 % of samples had bromate content upper than allowable level. For mineral water 23 samples and for drinking water 17 samples had bromate as 37.04 ± 18.62 µg/L and 33.58 ± 15.12 µg/L, respectively. According to the origin of bottled waters, their bromide content and other related conditions, it is necessary for health authorized organizations to routinely control and also awareness of consumers for hazards of bromate.