[Evaluation of the exposure to selenium in Los Altos de Jalisco, México]

To evaluate the exposure to selenium in drinking water in Los Altos de Jalisco (Jalisco State Heights).

The concentration of selenium was determined in 125 water wells, and the exposure doses to selenium were estimated for babies, children and adults.

The estimated values of the exposure doses to selenium and total intake of selenium were in the following ranges, respectively: (a) babies: 1.3-6.7 microg/kg/d and 12.6-67.2 microg/d; (b) children: 0.8-4.5 microg/kg/d and 16.8-89.6 microg/d, (c) adults: 0.6-3.0 microg/kg/d and 33.6-179.2 microg/d.

The estimated exposure levels to selenium were higher than those recommended as optimum by international health organizations, representing a potential health risk. Nevertheless, estimated values are not high enough to produce selenosis.