Bottled water and tap water have the same level of chemical contaminants, according to an October, 2008, study.
The Environmental Working Group of Washington, DC, purchased 10 bottled water brands in nine states and the District of Columbia. A lab found traces of 38 pollutants, averaging eight pollutants per brand. In addition, four of the brands showed bacterial contamination (http://www.ewg.org/reports/bottledwater).
EWG found that two of the brands were the same, chemically, as tap water. These are Walmart's and Giant's store brands, which contained byproducts of chlorine disinfection. In addition, Giant's brand held traces of fluoride. The amount of chlorine byproducts was too high for standards set by the state of California and bottled water producers.
The lab used for the test was the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory. The testing revealed an array of pollutants, including Tylenol, caffeine, radioactive isotopes, arsenic, residues of fertilizer such as ammonia and nitrate, and a variety of chemicals used as propellants, plasticizers, solvents, and more.
Researchers added a test, to check the possible carcinogenic effect of estrogen-mimicking chemicals in the plastic bottles themselves. Breast-cancer cells in petri dishes flourished in one case, growing 78 percent more with one of the bottled water brands than with the control.
Americans are drinking more than nine billion gallons of bottled water yearly, at a typical cost of $3.79 per gallon. But this study shows, and the EPA points out, "Bottled water is not necessarily safer than your tap water (www.epa.gov/ogwdw/faq/faq.html). That's because the EPA sets tap water standards, and the FDA sets bottled water standards based on the EPA's tap water standards.
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. - 16004
The Environmental Working Group of Washington, DC, purchased 10 bottled water brands in nine states and the District of Columbia. A lab found traces of 38 pollutants, averaging eight pollutants per brand. In addition, four of the brands showed bacterial contamination (http://www.ewg.org/reports/bottledwater).
EWG found that two of the brands were the same, chemically, as tap water. These are Walmart's and Giant's store brands, which contained byproducts of chlorine disinfection. In addition, Giant's brand held traces of fluoride. The amount of chlorine byproducts was too high for standards set by the state of California and bottled water producers.
The lab used for the test was the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory. The testing revealed an array of pollutants, including Tylenol, caffeine, radioactive isotopes, arsenic, residues of fertilizer such as ammonia and nitrate, and a variety of chemicals used as propellants, plasticizers, solvents, and more.
Researchers added a test, to check the possible carcinogenic effect of estrogen-mimicking chemicals in the plastic bottles themselves. Breast-cancer cells in petri dishes flourished in one case, growing 78 percent more with one of the bottled water brands than with the control.
Americans are drinking more than nine billion gallons of bottled water yearly, at a typical cost of $3.79 per gallon. But this study shows, and the EPA points out, "Bottled water is not necessarily safer than your tap water (www.epa.gov/ogwdw/faq/faq.html). That's because the EPA sets tap water standards, and the FDA sets bottled water standards based on the EPA's tap water standards.
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. - 16004
About the Author:
Bottled water is a waste of money. A home water filter can keep your family safe and do it for little money--get safe healthy for just 8 cents per gallon, at your kitchen sink. Your body needs water with certain trace minerals, so choose a system that keeps those in and filters out harmful bacteria, minerals, chemicals and chlorine byproducts. http://www.home-water-filter.info
