title: [Drinking water].
abstract: Water is essential for life. Thirst is a pressing need which always has to be satisfied. Infants need 3 times more water than adults if the requirements is calculated according to body weight. A correct balance in the sensory, physical, chemical and bacteriological qualities of water make it drinkable. Two laws have been passed recently concerning drinking water in France: one deals with water for human consumption (January 3 1989 decree), and the other deals with drinkable bottled mineral water (June 3 1989 decree). Tap water and bottled water are under strict vigilance. For babies under 4 months of age, it is better to use bottled water with a low mineral content (nitrates less than 15 mg/l). Hard water is safe; water softeners are useful only for hot water. Fluorination supplies of water is good for dental health at a concentration of 1 mg/l. Plastic bottles are as safe as glass ones.
authors.affiliation: Inserm Unité 192, hôpital Necker-Enfants-Malades, Paris, France.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dartois
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Casamitjana
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004326:Drinking; D005461:Fluorine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008900:Mineral Waters / Q000737:chemistry; D009566:Nitrates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D011356:Product Labeling; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
chemical_list: D008900:Mineral Waters; D009566:Nitrates; D005461:Fluorine; D002118:Calcium
vernacular_title: L'eau.