Bottled Water Found Contaminated with Medications, Fertilizer, Disinfection Chemicals
.@.4world.political.trash.net.97UOP Chaos in the Cosmos
Chemicals
Bottled water across the country contains a wide variety of toxic
substances, according to laboratory tests conducted by the Environmental
Working Group (EWG).
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Friday, April 3, 2009
Bottled water across the country contains a wide variety of toxic
substances, according to laboratory tests conducted by the Environmental
Working Group (EWG).
"Our tests strongly indicate that the purity of bottled water cannot be
trusted," the study authors write. "Given the industry's refusal to make
available data to support their claims of superiority, consumer confidence
in the purity of bottled water is simply not justified."
Researchers conducted comprehensive tests at the renowned University of Iowa
Hygienic Laboratory on 10 leading bottled water brands, purchased from
retailers in nine states and the District of Columbia (D.C.). A total of 38
toxic pollutants were detected altogether, with each brand containing an
average of eight. Chemicals detected included fluoride, byproducts of
chlorine-based disinfection, caffeine, pharmaceutical drugs, fertilizer
residue, plasticizers, solvents, fuel propellants, arsenic, other minerals
and heavy metals, and radioactive isotopes. Four brands also contained
bacteria.
More than a third of the chemicals detected are not regulated by the bottled
water industry. Voluntary industry standards regulate the following
two-thirds, but water purchased in five states and in D.C. contained levels
of some carcinogens in excess of even the industry's standards.
"In other words, this bottled water was chemically indistinguishable from
tap water," the authors write. "But with promotional campaigns saturated
with images of mountain springs, and prices 1,900 times the price of tap
water, consumers are clearly led to believe that they are buying a product
that has been purified to a level beyond the water that comes out of the
garden hose."
Further analysis at the University of Missouri found that when applied to
breast cancer cells, one brand of water led to a 78 percent increase in
proliferation rate compared with untreated cells. The addition of
estrogen-blocking chemicals noticeably reduced this effect.
"Though this result is considered a modest effect relative to the potency of
some other industrial chemicals . the sheer volume of bottled water people
consume elevates the health significance of the finding," the researchers
write.
The researchers were unable to determine if estrogen-mimics in the water
came from the water itself or had leached out of the plastic bottle.
In accordance with standard scientific practice, the report does not name
the brands tested. Exceptions were made for the brands Sam's Choice
(Wal-Mart) and Acadia (Giant), however, which contained toxin levels high
enough to violate California law.
Samples of both brands tested positive for trihalomethanes, which have been
linked to reproductive disorders and cancer. The chemicals form when water
disinfectants react with pollution. The water also contained
bromodichloromethane, a carcinogen regulated under California law. In
response, EWG is preparing a lawsuit against Wal-Mart to require that Sam's
Choice water contain the legally required notice: "WARNING: This product
contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer."
Acadia-brand water is not sold in California.
Bottled water purchased from these brands also exceeded the bottled water
industry's voluntary standards.
"The bottled water industry boasts that its internal regulations are
stricter than the FDA bottled water regulations," the researchers write,
"but voluntary standards that companies are failing to meet are of little
use."
NYSCOF
impurities were found in samples of chemicals used to fluoridate
public water supplies between the years 2000 and 2006, according to
the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (1)
Controversial fluoridation schemes are promoted by special-interest
groups such as the American Dental Association (ADA) which claims
adding fluoride chemicals to public water supplies reduces tooth
decay. "Most public and government officials take their lead from the
ADA," says attorney Paul Beeber, President, New York State Coalition
Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.
Arsenic was detected in 43% of the 245 water fluoridation chemicals
sampled by NSF International which regulates public water supply
additives. (2)
Arsenic may increase cancer risk, according to the EPA which sets the
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal of arsenic in water supplies at zero.
(3)
Also 3% of the samples contained copper; 2% contained lead; and less
than 1% contained barium, chromium, mercury, selenium or thallium.
Silicates, the second most prevalent substance in fluoridation
chemicals, are not health regulated.
Although no radionuclides or beryllium were found in these samples,
0.4 parts-per-billion is allowed.
Bottled water suppliers, who add fluoride, typically follow the same
standards, according to the CDC. (1)
Community water fluoridation uses industrial-waste fluoride
(silicofluorides). However, pharmaceutical grade fluoride may also be
contaminated. According to the CDC, “Given the volumes of chemicals
used in water fluoridation, a pharmaceutical grade of sodium fluoride
for fluoridation could potentially contain much higher levels of
arsenic, radionuclides, and regulated heavy metals than a NSF/ANSI
Standard 60-certified product [the standard that water fluoridation
chemicals must meet].”
The FDA regulates bottled water. But it’s almost impossible to know
how much fluoride is in the bottle, unless you call the manufacturer,
because:
-- Domestic bottled water with no added fluoride may contain between
1.4 and 2.4 mg/L fluoride
-- Imported bottled water with no added fluoride may not contain
fluoride in excess of 1.4 mg/L.
-- Domestic bottled water with added fluoride can contain between 0.8
and 1.7 mg/L fluoride
-- Imported bottled water with added fluoride may not contain more
than 0.8 mg/L fluoride.
Bottlers are not required to list any naturally-occurring fluoride on
the labels.(1)
“Fluoridation is irrational whether it’s coming from the tap or the
bottle,” says Beeber. "It's time to leave fluoride chemicals and all
their contaminants out of every water source."
Over 2,300 professionals urge the US Congress to stop water
fluoridation until Congressional hearings are conducted, citing
scientific evidence that fluoridation, long promoted to fight tooth
decay, is ineffective and has serious health risks. See statement:
http://www.fluorideaction.org/statement.august.2007.html.
Also, eleven Environmental Protection Agency employee unions
representing over 7000 environmental and public health professionals
called for a moratorium on drinking water fluoridation programs across
the country, and have asked EPA management to recognize fluoride as
posing a serious risk of causing cancer in people. (5)
References
(1) US Centers for Disease Control, Community Water Fluoridation, Fact
Sheet on Questions About Bottled Water and fluoride, date last updated
February 25, 2008
http://www.cdc.gov/Fluoridation/fact_sheets/engineering/wfadditives.htm#7
(2) NSF Fact Sheet on Fluoriadtion Chemicals, February 2008
http://www.nsf.org/business/water_distribution/pdf/NSF_Fact_Sheet.pdf
(3) US Environmental Protection Agency, Arsenic in Drinking Water,
accessed April 8, 2009
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic/index.html
(4) US Centers for Disease Control, Community Water Fluoridation,
Water Fluoriodation Additives, modified and reviewed December 1, 2008
http://www.cdc.gov/Fluoridation/fact_sheets/bottled_water.htm
(5) http://www.nteu280.org/Issues/Fluoride/Press%20Release.%20Fluoride.htm
SOURCE: NYS Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.
PO Box 263
Old Bethpage, NY 11804
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof
News Releases
http://tinyurl.com/NewsReleases
Tooth Decay Crises in Fluoridated Areas
http://www.fluoridenews.blogspot.com/