Water is a vital part of our daily routine. Still, the seemingly pristine bottled water often falls short when ensuring safety and cleanliness compared to its sparkling, plastic-packaged counterpart. While bottled water is commonly perceived as a secure and convenient choice, especially for travel, it’s crucial to know that even the crystal-clear water in those clean plastic bottles may not be entirely free from contaminants. Despite its convenience for on-the-go hydration, bottled water has some surprising drawbacks. Explore the lesser-known facts about bottled water in the following paragraphs.
Our body contains almost 70% of water, which is essential for proper functionalities of our cells, tissues, and organs. Primary benefits of water includes detoxification, oxygenation, cell nourishment, protection of organs, cancer prevention, etc.
Facts To Know About Bottled Water
We buy bottled water, especially the branded ones, believing its glossy outer appeal is a testament to its quality. But there is more to it than taste and sparkle. The fact is that bottled water is not any safer than regular tap water you consume at home or in restaurants. Health experts say tap and bottled water are purified to kill possible germs, parasites, and other harmful elements. However, there is still no guarantee that they are 100% contaminant-free. So, before consuming packaged drinking water, you must be aware of the following facts:
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1. Unknown Water Sources
You can find out where the drinking water comes from at home and other public places. But can you do the same for bottled waters that mention ‘fresh’ and ‘blue mountain springs’ on the labels? (1) Water sourced from underground or above-ground for public consumption must meet strict guidelines laid down by government agencies. In the case of bottled water, however, you have no choice but to believe the promises made by the manufacturers! It has been found that 25% to 45% of branded water is bottled tap water.
Moreover, bottled water is not better than your sink water, which is worse than bottled tap water. You have no idea whether the water is coming through clean channels or rusted lead pipes. Health experts explain that the lead pipe is a sure-shot recipe for disaster, and it is especially very harmful to pregnant women and children.
2. Toxic Chemical Release
Bottled water often contains more toxic chemicals (mostly the human carcinogen ‘arsenic’), including pollutants and other contaminants, than regular tap water. In addition, as the packaging is primarily made of plastic, it also leaches harmful chemicals into the water. The most common chemical, BPA, is a hormone disruptor linked to asthma, cardiovascular diseases, liver problems, diabetes, low sperm count, infertility, ADHD, early puberty, and even cancer. (2)
Moreover, thousands of other chemical additives are used in plastics, which also cause tons of health hazards. Most of them store calories in your body without letting it use them for energy, making you fat. In addition, PVC, a ‘plasticizer’ used in plastic packaging, contains phthalates, another group of hormone-disrupting chemicals.
3. Environment Pollution
Even the ‘purest’ and the most ‘eco-friendly’ water package harms the environment. The flexible plastic bottles used for this purpose cause enormous pollution to our air, land, and water. In addition, during the manufacturing of the bottles, lots of air contaminants are released from the petrochemical plants, which leads to several health issues, including acute respiratory problems. (3)
Over 80% of the bottles produced are not recycled and eventually become litter. As plastic never disappears, it causes tremendous pollution of the land. Plastic water bottle debris is also polluting our oceans to a large extent.
4. Waste Of Energy And Money
Every time you drink from a plastic water bottle, you waste lots of natural energy, resources, and money. It is a wasteful affair compared to the cost of a gallon of tap water. Plastic manufacturing also adds to the emission of greenhouse gases.
Steps To Take Before Buying Bottled Water
Now that you know that your fancy and deodorized bottled water is unhealthy, it is time to see how to prevent it from affecting your health. Though it is not possible to avoid the circumstances of consuming packaged water, there are some precautionary steps that you can take.
Check The Water Source
Before buying bottled water, check the label to see if the source is mentioned. Is it sourced from a spring or some other underground source? You need to figure that out first. However, there is no guarantee that the manufacturer will mention this on the label. And if you come to know about the harmful source of bottled water, there is not much you can do. Your only option is probably to sue the company in such a situation.
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Ensure Guideline Compliance
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has laid strict guidelines for bottled water companies. First, check if the manufacturer has procured the necessary quality assurances from government agencies. One of those guidelines stresses the implementation of safe and sanitary manufacturing conditions.
Carry Your Water
Don’t buy bottled water. Instead, boil or filter the tap water at home and carry it in a bottle. Tap water is considered the safest and most eco-friendly option. However, it gets contaminated with impurities and pollutants, including chlorine, arsenic, added fluoride, nitrate, etc. Hence, opt for tap water filtration at your home and make a difference for your health and this planet.
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Summary
Water is an essential part of our daily life, but the allure of bottled water, often perceived as clean and safe, hides some surprising drawbacks compared to tap water. Despite its convenience, bottled water may not be entirely free from contaminants, including unknown water sources, toxic chemical releases, environmental pollution, and energy waste. Bottled water, often from tap water, contains harmful chemicals from plastic packaging and contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Understanding these facts prompts reconsideration of its health and environmental impact. Consumers can check water sources, ensure compliance with guidelines, and opt for tap water filtration at home to mitigate risks.
