SEHAT WEB ■ The content of bromate compounds in bottled drinking water (AMDK) can be dangerous if it exceeds the specified limits.
Bromate itself is a chemical compound formed from bromine and oxygen. This compound disinfects drinking water so that it is free from bacteria and microorganisms.
"If it exceeds the permitted limit, of course (bromate) will be detrimental to health," said Indonesian Christian University (UKI) nutritionist, Louisa Ariantje Langi in a written statement quoted on Friday (14/6).
Health problems that arise from consuming bromate can include digestive problems, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach ache and diarrhea. Even if the content is excessive and consumed continuously, it has the potential to cause kidney problems and even cancer.
Therefore, he reminded the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) to continue to carry out serious monitoring, including implementing bromate content regulations on AMDK labels.
Drinking water producers are even encouraged to include the amount of bromate content in each product.
"So that the public is not fooled into whether a product is safe or not. And if it exceeds the limit, it should not be allowed to circulate," she explained.
On a separate occasion, Researcher at the Geological Resources Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Dr. Rizka Maria said that the accumulation of bromate can trigger carcinogenic effects which begin to be observed after 10 to 20 years of consumption, depending on the levels of bromate present and a person's health.
"Humans who consume thousands of times more bromate compounds than the standard amount in AMDK have more severe health effects, namely kidney problems and hearing problems," she said. (Red)
