Bottled Water Brands Contain Unregulated Toxic Chemicals
A shocking revelation has emerged from a recent study, exposing the presence of numerous toxic chemicals in leading bottled water brands. These chemicals, known as disinfection by-products (DBPs), are a cause for concern due to their potential health risks.
Unveiling the Study
The study, published in Science Direct, scrutinized 64 regulated and unregulated DBPs in 10 well-known bottled water brands. Astonishingly, every brand tested contained DBPs, raising questions about the safety of our drinking water.
But here's the twist: Professor Susan Richardson, a chemistry expert at the University of South Carolina and one of the study's authors, revealed that bottled water had fewer DBPs than tap water. This finding is a double-edged sword, as it highlights the presence of DBPs in both sources but also indicates that bottled water might be a safer option.
The Importance of Disinfection
Disinfecting drinking water is crucial to prevent the spread of diseases like cholera and typhoid. However, this process can lead to the formation of DBPs, which are linked to various health issues.
"Numerous studies have shown a connection between DBPs and bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, miscarriages, and birth defects," Professor Richardson explained. This is a serious matter, as these chemicals can have far-reaching consequences on human health.
Uncovering the Brands
The study intentionally kept the brands anonymous, but it did reveal that 'grocery' and 'name' brands had higher DBP counts than 'designer' brands. Interestingly, spring water brands generally had lower DBP levels than those labeled as purified.
Two 'grocery' brands, which used purified tap water, had significantly higher cytotoxicity levels, with DBP concentrations 43 and 83 times higher than the average bottled water. This is a cause for concern, as it shows that even purified tap water can still contain high levels of these harmful chemicals.
How Do DBPs Get into Bottled Water?
Many bottled water brands use tap water that has undergone further purification, but not all DBPs are removed in this process. Some brands also treat water with ozone, which can form DBPs. Additionally, spring water can be contaminated with surface waters containing DBPs.
Among the DBPs found, brominated DBPs, especially dibromoacetonitrile, are particularly worrying. Professor Richardson noted that this chemical is a known carcinogen and is unregulated. However, its levels in bottled water are similar to those in tap water, which is a small consolation.
Unregulated DBPs: A Hidden Danger
The study also discovered several other unregulated DBPs in bottled water for the first time, including chloroacetonitrile, dichloroacetamide, trichloronitromethane, dichloroacetaldehyde, 1,1-dibromopropanone, and 1,1,1-trichloropropanone. Total organic halogen (TOX) was also measured in bottled waters, a first in such studies.
The FDA regulates some DBPs in bottled water, but many remain unregulated. Professor Richardson emphasized that these unregulated DBPs are not monitored in drinking water and, consequently, not in bottled water either.
Bottled vs. Tap Water
Despite the findings, bottled water generally contains fewer DBPs than tap water. On average, only 3 types of DBPs were detected in bottled water, compared to 37 in tap water.
Expert Opinions
Sherri Mason, director of Project NePTWNE at Gannon University, expressed surprise at the lower DBP levels in bottled water compared to tap water. However, she pointed out that other studies have found unexpected toxicants in bottled water, such as benzene and microplastics, which are not typically tested for.
Natalie Exum, a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, was not surprised by the results, as chemical disinfectants in tap water can lead to DBPs. She emphasized that unregulated DBPs are a significant concern due to their potential toxicity, and their health effects are not yet fully understood.
Vasilis Vasiliou, a professor at Yale School of Public Health, highlighted the discovery of over 50 priority unregulated DBPs in bottled water, including dibromoacetonitrile and chloroacetonitrile. He stated that finding haloacetic acids and chloroform in UV-treated waters suggests cross-contamination or incomplete processing, challenging the notion of 'pure' water.
The Bottom Line
Professor Richardson advises against switching from tap water to bottled water unless there's a known contamination issue with tap water. She raises environmental and cost concerns, emphasizing the impact of plastic bottles and the higher cost of bottled water.
And this is the part most people miss: While bottled water may have fewer DBPs, the overall safety of our drinking water is a complex issue. The presence of unregulated DBPs and other toxicants in bottled water highlights the need for stricter regulations and more comprehensive testing. The debate over tap versus bottled water continues, leaving consumers with a challenging decision to make.
