* Health Canada is reportedly considering establishment of a limit of 0.03 µg inorganic arsenic/kg bw. See Kyeyune V and Marles R. May 20, 2008. Organic and inorganic arsenic in Natural Health Products; Issue Analysis Summary (IAS). See PDF. Accessed on December 23, 2008.
Stated Limit (PTWI - weekly)
Calculated Daily Limit (Adult, 70 kg)
EU Status
Arsenic
15 µg inorganic arsenic/kg bw
150 µg
No information found
Cadmium
7 µg cadmium/kg bw
70 µg
Endorsed 6/2/1995
Lead
25 µg lead/kg bw
250 µg
Endorsed 6/19/1992
Mercury
1.6 µg methylmercury/kg bw
16 µg
Adopted 2/4/2004
Agency / Scope
Stated Limit
Calculated Daily Limit (Adult)
Arsenic
FDA / Bottled drinking water
Allowable level = 10 µg arsenic /liter.
20 µg (calculated at 2 liters/day)
EPA / Drinking water
MCL = 10 µg arsenic/liter.
20 µg (calculated at 2 liters/day)
EPA / IRIS
RfD (chronic effect; noncancer) = 0.3 µg inorganic arsenic/kg bw.
21 µg (calculated at 70 kg)
ATSDR
MRL (chronic oral consumption) = 0.3 µg inorganic arsenic/kg bw.
21 µg (calculated at 70 kg)
Cadmium
FDA / Bottled drinking water
Allowable level = 5 µg cadmium/liter.
10 µg (calculated at 2 liters/day)
EPA / Drinking water
MCL = 5 µg cadmium/liter.
10 µg (calculated at 2 liters/day)
EPA / IRIS
RfD (chronic effect; noncancer) = 1.0 µg cadmium/kg bw.
70 µg (calculated at 70 kg)
ATSDR
MRL (chronic oral consumption) = 0.2 µg cadmium/kg bw.
14 µg (calculated at 70 kg)
Lead
FDA / Bottled drinking water
Allowable level = 5 µg lead/liter.
10 µg (calculated at 2 liters/day)
EPA / Drinking water
Action level = 15 µg/liter.
30 µg (calculated at 2 liters/day)
Mercury
FDA / Bottled drinking water
Allowable level = 2 µg mercury/liter.
4 µg (calculated at 2 liters/day)
EPA / Drinking water
MCL = 2 µg mercury/liter.
4 µg (calculated at 2 liters/day)
EPA / IRIS
RfD (chronic effect; noncancer) = 0.1 µg methylmercury/kg bw.
7 µg (calculated at 70 kg)
ATSDR
MRL (chronic oral consumption) = 0.3 µg methylmercury/kg bw.
21 µg (calculated at 70 kg)