Characteristics of Desalinated Seawater and its Effects on Human Health

Objectives  To investigate the characteristics of desalinated seawater and its impacts on human health as well as the potential problems of using desalinated seawater as drinking water.

Method  Relevant research works in our country and foreign countries were investigated by literature study.

Results  Desalinated seawater was low in hardness and alkalinity and high in boron and bromine. Nutrients such as calcium， magnesium， fluoride were significantly low. There might have new disinfection by-products and other pollutants due to different water treatments.

Conclusions  The applicability of current China Standards for Drinking Water Quality for desalinated seawater should be further investigated. Monitoring system should be established to study the water quality and its effect on human health.