SHOULD THE CONCEPT OF THE RECOMMENDED DIETARY ALLOWANCE BE ALTERED TO INCORPORATE INTERACTIVE EFFECTS OF UBIQUITOUS POLLUTANTS

Using ascorbic acid as a model, this paper proposes that the concept of the RDA should be broadened to take into account the effects of ubiquitous pollutants on human health, a factor presently not incorporated in RDA derivations. It is now widely accepted that ascorbic acid nutritional status markedly affects the toxicity and/or carcinogenicity of greater than 50 pollutants, many of which are ubiquitous in the air, water, and food environments. At the present time, the data do not warrant changing the ascorbic acid RDA in light of the knowledge of pollutant interactions. © 1979.