Bottled water is everywhere. Fancy labels depicting scenes that invoke thoughts of pure sources, such as mountain streams and springs are common, but are they the purest drink around?
You just may be surprised by exactly what is in that bottle with the glorified name and label. Consumers should not think that bottled water is better regulated or safer than tap water, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, or NRDC, a nonprofit organization devoted to protecting health and the environment. More than 25 percent of bottled water comes from municipal supply.
It is treated and sold at enormous mark ups. You are sometimes paying more for water than gasoline. Even some of the fanciest bottled water brands are nothing more than glorified tap water.
The NRDC tested thousands of bottles of water and more than 100 brands, noting that while most is safe, at least 30 percent of the water tested was contaminated. The results showed one-third of the water tested contained bacteria or chemical contaminants, including carcinogens exceeding state and industry standards.
Two brands found on store shelves contained phthalates; one case was above Environmental Protection Agency standards. Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics softer. In unsafe levels, they can affect the body's normal functions.
The plastic containers used for bottled water are generally safe. But scientists say that when stored in hot or warm temperatures, the chemicals can leach into the water. Many people drink water that has been sitting in a hot car, which is a dangerous move.
The health of the planet also is important because the bottles have a huge environmental impact. A great way to solve this problem is to switch to a safe, reusable container filled with filtered water from your tap. A high-quality water purifier will provide great tasting, pure water.
However, a purifier that removes only particulate matter, like a reverse osmosis system, is not the best solution. The best kind of water purifier will kill and eliminate bacterial, germicidal and viral matter. A purifier with a NSF International (www.nsf.org) rating is best.
A good carbon block filter is less expensive and more effective than conventional osmosis systems. The investment in a high-quality water purifier will pay for itself quickly when taking into account the cost of bottled water, especially the potential health risks.
For more information, call (760) 521-7095.
You just may be surprised by exactly what is in that bottle with the glorified name and label. Consumers should not think that bottled water is better regulated or safer than tap water, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, or NRDC, a nonprofit organization devoted to protecting health and the environment. More than 25 percent of bottled water comes from municipal supply.
It is treated and sold at enormous mark ups. You are sometimes paying more for water than gasoline. Even some of the fanciest bottled water brands are nothing more than glorified tap water.
The NRDC tested thousands of bottles of water and more than 100 brands, noting that while most is safe, at least 30 percent of the water tested was contaminated. The results showed one-third of the water tested contained bacteria or chemical contaminants, including carcinogens exceeding state and industry standards.
Two brands found on store shelves contained phthalates; one case was above Environmental Protection Agency standards. Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics softer. In unsafe levels, they can affect the body's normal functions.
The plastic containers used for bottled water are generally safe. But scientists say that when stored in hot or warm temperatures, the chemicals can leach into the water. Many people drink water that has been sitting in a hot car, which is a dangerous move.
The health of the planet also is important because the bottles have a huge environmental impact. A great way to solve this problem is to switch to a safe, reusable container filled with filtered water from your tap. A high-quality water purifier will provide great tasting, pure water.
However, a purifier that removes only particulate matter, like a reverse osmosis system, is not the best solution. The best kind of water purifier will kill and eliminate bacterial, germicidal and viral matter. A purifier with a NSF International (www.nsf.org) rating is best.
A good carbon block filter is less expensive and more effective than conventional osmosis systems. The investment in a high-quality water purifier will pay for itself quickly when taking into account the cost of bottled water, especially the potential health risks.
For more information, call (760) 521-7095.