(a) whether the maximum permissible limit of arsenic in drinking water recommended by the Bureau of Indian Standards is much higher than the limits fixed by the World Health Organisation (WHO); and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the corrective steps taken in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)
(a): Madam, as per Indian Standard for drinking water, IS 10500:2012, the acceptable limit for Arsenic has been specified as 0.01mg/l. This is in line with WHO guidelines for drinking water. The standard also prescribes a permi- ssible limit of 0.05mg/l in the absence of any alternate source of drinking water.
(b): Draft amendment to this standard to remove the permissible limit of 0.05mg/l is under consideration and final decision will be taken by the concerned Sectional Committee, shortly.