As a precaution against storage in the body of excessive iron, in 1983 JECFA established
a PMTDI of 0.8 mg/kg of body weight, which applies to iron from all sources
except for iron oxides used as colouring agents and iron supplements taken during
pregnancy and lactation or for specific clinical requirements. An allocation of 10% of
this PMTDI to drinking-water gives a value of about 2 mg/litre, which does not
present a hazard to health. The taste and appearance of drinking-water will usually
be affected below this leve