Urinary
borates calculated as
boric acid were found to span 0 to 54 microgramme per ml urine for both Singaporean adults (population size: 507) and children (population size: 162). The normal dietary
boron intake could account for the urinary
boric acid levels observed. Of the hundred and fifty-three children who suffered from
gastroenteritis in Singapore over the period from Jan to May 1989, two were found to have urinary
boric acid exceeding 54 micrograms per ml urine. One of them was said to have consumed fish balls, bean curds and noodles prior to the onset of illness. These food items were among those likely to have added
borates. Unfortunately, the dietary intake prior to the onset of illness of the other child was not recorded. Of the hundred and twelve adults affected by
gastroenteritis in Dec 1988 in the Tiong Bahru area, one was found to have
boric acid level of 117 micrograms per ml urine, indicative of added
borates in the diet. The present study showed that
borates related
gastroenteritis incidents in Singapore over the time-period of our study at least, were few and far in between. With the on-going surveillance for the presence of added
borates in both locally manufactured and imported food and the continued tight control over the importation and sale of
borates, future incidents are likely to be minimal.