Major inorganic elements in tap water samples in Peninsular Malaysia.
BACKGROUND
Quality drinking water should be free from harmful levels of impurities such as heavy metals and other inorganic elements.


METHODS
Samples of tap water collected from 24 locations in Peninsular Malaysia were determined for inorganic element content. Minerals and heavy metals were analysed by spectroscopy methods, while non-metal elements were analysed using test kits.


RESULTS
Minerals and heavy metals determined were sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, cadmium and lead while the non-metal elements were fluoride, chloride, nitrate and sulphate. Most of the inorganic elements found in the samples were below the maximum permitted levels recommended by inter-national drinking water standard limits, except for iron and manganese. Iron concentration of tap water from one of the locations was higher than the standard limit.


CONCLUSIONS
In general, tap water from different parts of Peninsular Malaysia had low concentrations of heavy metals and inorganic elements.
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. azrina@medic.upm.edu.my
A
A
Azrina
H E
HE
Khoo
M A
MA
Idris
I
I
Amin
M R
MR
Razman
D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014881:Water Supply
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D008903:Minerals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical