How Clean Is Your Bottled Water?

Category: Diet and Nutrition

More than half of all Americans regularly drink bottled water, although they have access to safe public drinking water. Many consumers believe that bottled water is safer to drink than tap water. Demand for bottled water has been steadily rising, making the $22 billion bottled water business the fastest-growing beverage industry. However, some organizations report that bottled water may not be as safe and clean as we are led to believe.

A four-year study conducted by The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that about one-third of more than 1,000 bottles of 103 different brands were contaminated with synthetic organic chemicals and bacteria. One sampling contained arsenic levels that exceeded recommended health limits. The NRDC states that bottled water is subjected to less rigorous testing and purity standards than those required of public drinking water. They claim that bottled water regulations allow for some contamination by water-borne bacteria such as E. coli, although tap water regulations do not allow for any contamination with these bacteria. The NRDC concludes that bottled water rules are insufficient to guarantee safety or purity.

The World Health Organization also states that bottled water can harbor harmful bacteria and synthetic chemicals that are not found in tap water. Since bottled water is non-sterile and stored for longer periods and at higher temperatures than tap water, the World Health Organization warns that some microorganisms can grow to higher levels. These contaminants can harm infants, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems.

Research suggests that using plastic polycarbonate containers to store water may not only increase exposure to harmful bacteria but can also leach a toxic chemical, bisphenol A (BPA). BPA has been found to produce birth defects and developmental abnormalities in mice. Low BPA levels can adversely affect sperm count and prostate and breast tissue development, as well as increase the risk of tumors and fat cell enlargement.

Safer plastics to store water and food include polypropylene (designated #5 PP), high-density polyethylene (designated #2HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (designated #4 LDPE). The safest choice would be to store water in clean glass containers.

REFERENCES:
1. Mauleon V. What's In Your Water Bottle? PBS Frontline, June, 2002:
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/bolivia/waterbottle.html

2. The Hidden Dangers of Bottled Water, Mercola.com, June 5, 2006:
http://mercola.com/blog/2006/jun/5/the_hidden_dangers_of_bottled_water

3. Nalgene Water Bottles Appear to be Unsafe, Mercola.com, April 7, 2004:
http://www.mercola.com/display/PrintPage.aspx?docid=27862&PrintPage=yes

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on December 22, 2013 10:00 AM