| Study Finds That Bottled Water Is Same As Tap Water |
View Comments
| Environment - Environment |
| Written by Phyllis Wheeler |
| Sunday, 01 March 2009 09:25 |
|
A study made in October, 2008, analyzed bottled water brands and found plenty of chemical contaminants--at the same levels as contaminants found in tap water.
A study made in October, 2008, analyzed bottled water brands and found plenty of chemical contaminants--at the same levels as contaminants found in tap water. An activist group, the Environmental Working Group based in Washington, DC, gathered sample bottles from nine states and the District of Columbia. It handed them to a lab for testing. The lab found contamination averaging eight chemical pollutants for each brand, with a total of 38 chemical pollutants found. At the same time, bacteria traces were found in four brands (http://www.ewg.org/reports/bottledwater). The study found that two brands contained water which is chemically identical to tap water. These brands were the store brands for Giant's and Walmart. Both brands yielded chlorine disinfection byproducts at levels too high for bottled water industry standards and standards set by California. In addition, Giant's brand yielded some fluoride. The tests, conducted at the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory, revealed a variety of pollutants like caffeine and Tylenol, arsenic, radioactive isotopes, fertilizer residues nitrate and ammonia, and various other chemicals used as solvents, plasticizers, propellants, and so on. Concerned about estrogen-disrupting and cancer-promoting chemicals from plastic bottles, the researchers also conducted tests to see whether the bottled water brands spurred growth of breast cancer cells. They found one brand spurred a 78 percent increase in growth of breast cancer cells compared to the control sample. Americans are spending an average of $3.79 per gallon for bottled water, and drinking 9 billion gallons of it per year. The perception is that the bottled water is safer. But this study shows that it isn't. In fact, the laws governing it don't require it to be better. The EPA sets tap water standards, and then the FDA bases its bottled water standards on the EPA's tap water standards (www.epa.gov/ogwdw/faq/faq.html). You can make a wise decision by spending just 8 cents per gallon on a home water filter, which you can install at your kitchen sink. It can provide you with clean pure water, which you can put in safe containers of your choice. About the Author: Bottled water is wastes your money. A home water filter can protect your loved ones and do it for little money--get safe healthy for just 8 cents per gallon, at your kitchen sink. Your body needs water containing certain trace minerals, so select a system that keeps those in and filters out harmful bacteria, minerals, chemicals and chlorine residues. http://www.home-water-filter.info |