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<BR>News<BR>Water intended for human consumption is a vital nutrient used by the general population as a whole. As such it must be continually distributed in sufficient quantity and its consumption must present no potential risks for human health. It is subjected to special purification treatments adapted to the quality of the water supply. <BR><BR>These purification treatments are constantly improving in response to various technical and health-related issues. However, as for all innovative processes, there is a need to ensure their efficacy and safety by verifying that they do not degrade the water's organoleptic, chemical and/or microbiological qualities. The assessment of the safety and efficacy of water treatments, including ion exchangers, is one of AFSSA's missions.<BR><BR>Assessment of ion exchangers<BR><BR>The regulations for marketing ion exchangers for the treatment of water intended for human consumption are set down in the French Public Health Code. Before they can be marketed, these products must undergo assessment to ensure their safety. Companies that wish to commercialise these products must submit an application for approval to the Ministry of Health, along with a technical file which will be assessed by AFSSA. <BR>Based on the experience acquired from over 40 applications for approval and the work of a group of the Agency's experts, AFSSA has established a set of guidelines for their assessment. They aim to improve the current assessment measures for ion exchangers, align assessment methods with current EU standards and revise the procedure in light of advances in scientific and analytical knowledge. <BR><BR><BR>What are ion exchangers?<BR><BR>Ion exchangers can be made up of a variety of substances (minerals, metals, organic matter). When placed in contact with them, undesirable substances in water are replaced by these exchanger substances and then captured and replaced by others which have no adverse effects. <BR>Ion-exchange resins are the most widely used organic exchangers for water treatment applications. The first approvals for their use in the treatment of water intended for human consumption were issued by the Ministry of Health in the 1990s. They are also being used increasingly in the privately-owned sections of domestic water distribution networks via individual water treatment systems.<BR>Water softening is the most common application of these resins for the treatment of water intended for human consumption. This process involves the proportional replacement of calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) ions, which reduce the effectiveness of detergents and soaps and cause scaling in boilers, by sodium ions (Na+). The resins are also used for the decarbonation and denitratation of water intended for human consumption. <BR><BR><BR>Find out more<BR><BR>> The report entitled "Guidelines on the assessment of ion exchangers used for the treatment of water intended for human consumption" (in French)<BR>> Our Close-up on water<BR><BR>Water treatment: guidelines for the assessment of ion exchangers <BR>9 February 2010<BR>Home,Anses,News,Press room,Agenda,Our topics,Food,Animal health and nutrition,Environmental health,Occupational health,Plants,Opinions and publications,Last opinions and reports,Food opinions and reports,Animal health and nutrition opinions and reports,Environmental and occupational health opinions and reports,Plants opinions,Opinions and reports in English,Bulletins and periodicals,Other publications,Subscribe to Anses newsletter,Research and reference,Research program,Laboratories and reference activities, + ,Job opportunities,Public procurement contracts,Our websites,Extranet / ExpertNet,Legal notice,Contact, ,<BR>Highlighted news,Archives,-,Archives of AFSSET news,Archives of AFSSA news,<A HREF='PM9100C6I0.htm'>News</A>
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Water intended for human consumption is a vital nutrient used by the general population as a whole. As such it must be continually distributed in sufficient quantity and its consumption must present no potential risks for human health. It is subjected to special purification treatments adapted to the quality of the water supply.
These purification treatments are constantly improving in response to various technical and health-related issues. However, as for all innovative processes, there is a need to ensure their efficacy and safety by verifying that they do not degrade the water's organoleptic, chemical and/or microbiological qualities. The assessment of the safety and efficacy of water treatments, including ion exchangers, is one of AFSSA's missions.
Assessment of ion exchangers
The regulations for marketing ion exchangers for the treatment of water intended for human consumption are set down in the French Public Health Code. Before they can be marketed, these products must undergo assessment to ensure their safety. Companies that wish to commercialise these products must submit an application for approval to the Ministry of Health, along with a technical file which will be assessed by AFSSA. Based on the experience acquired from over 40 applications for approval and the work of a group of the Agency's experts, AFSSA has established a set of guidelines for their assessment. They aim to improve the current assessment measures for ion exchangers, align assessment methods with current EU standards and revise the procedure in light of advances in scientific and analytical knowledge.
What are ion exchangers?
Ion exchangers can be made up of a variety of substances (minerals, metals, organic matter). When placed in contact with them, undesirable substances in water are replaced by these exchanger substances and then captured and replaced by others which have no adverse effects. Ion-exchange resins are the most widely used organic exchangers for water treatment applications. The first approvals for their use in the treatment of water intended for human consumption were issued by the Ministry of Health in the 1990s. They are also being used increasingly in the privately-owned sections of domestic water distribution networks via individual water treatment systems. Water softening is the most common application of these resins for the treatment of water intended for human consumption. This process involves the proportional replacement of calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) ions, which reduce the effectiveness of detergents and soaps and cause scaling in boilers, by sodium ions (Na+). The resins are also used for the decarbonation and denitratation of water intended for human consumption.
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