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HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS OF MOLYBDENUM IN DRINKING WATER
Citation:
Chappell, W., R. Meglen, R. Moure-Eraso, C. Solomons, AND T. Tsongas. HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS OF MOLYBDENUM IN DRINKING WATER. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/1-79/006.
Description:
Molybdenum plays an important biological role as a micronutrient for plants and animals. At high levels it can be toxic to animals. While concentrations in surface waters are generally less than 5 micrograms Mo/L, concentrations as high as 500 micrograms Mo/L have been reported in some drinking waters. Concentrations in water greater than 20 micrograms Mo/L are almost certainly anthropogenic. The average human intake via food for the United States is 170 micrograms Mo/day while the average intake via drinking water is less than 5 micrograms Mo/day. While no adverse health effects have been reported in the United States, there are reports in the Russian and Indian literature of both biochemical and clinical effects in humans at intakes ranging from 1 to 10 micrograms Mo/day. Rapid urinary excretion appears to provide considerable protection at intakes less than 1 micrograms Mo/day. This report reviews the data on molybdenum as it relates to the effects of its occurrence in drinking water. The report also reviews the results of an interdisciplinary study carried out by the authors. The authors recommend a guideline of 50 micrograms Mo/L for the maximum concentration in drinking water.