We have heard for years that bottled water had problems. We heard that some of it was just tap water or filtered tap water. But it turns out, bottled water is much worse than that.
Scientists have found that plastic bottles leech a toxic mineral called antimony into the water. The longer the water sits on the shelf, the more it absorbs. In fact, they found up to 100 times the amount of antimony found in clean groundwater in 63 brands of Canadian and European groundwater. Worse, at normal temperature sitting for six months, the amount jumped 90% in European brands and 19% in Canadian brands.
The researchers believe that more or less antimony will leech depending upon temperature, sunlight, and pH.
The pH problem is worse for soft drinks than water. Lower pH (acidic) attracts minerals. Water is close to neutral. However, soft drinks, juices, and other drinks can be highly acidic. Packaged in the clear plastic bottles, they can deliver you a stiff dose of antimony.
Furthermore, since many brands of bottled water are just repackaged city water, most of them have other additives, such as poisonous fluoride and aluminum just waiting to get into you. Next thing you know, China will be shipping us their horribly polluted water and selling it in Wal-mart. You never know in todays world of corporate greed.
Action to take: This news hit me hard. My wife, Terri, and I usually drink bottled water when were on the road. We have a reverse osmosis filter in our house Assured Filter, which is a superior way to get clean water (other than from a spring).
But when we travel, we now carry a bottle that has a charcoal filter in it. That way, I can load it with city water and at least get out the chlorine and toxic organic chemicals.
Spring water is likely a safer source, but I do not even trust the labels now. If you can find a brand that is certified spring water, that might be the best bottled water to drink.
Otherwise, skip the bottled water altogether. Make sure you also skip soft drinks, fruit juices, teas, and other beverages bottled in plastic. Their acidic content makes them far more dangerous when stored in plastic bottles.
Ref: Environmental Science Technology Online, January 24, 2007.