What public health concerns are associated with the consumption of water bottled in plastic containers? (interesting)

 Americans alone buy an estimated 50 billion water bottles per year because they think bottled water is the safest option. This is not true. Many companies use municipal water and bottle it. The water you drink from these companies is most likely more contaminated than tap water coming out of your sink.  93% of water brands showed traces of microplastics in their water. Popular brands sell water bottles contaminated with microplastics and toxic chemicals from the plastic bottle itself. Corporations can get away with it because it is not mandatory to conduct lab tests or tell customers where the water originates. Recent studies found traces of phthalates, mold, microbes, arsenic, and other contaminants in bottled water. Many of the chemicals we are introduced to, come from the bottle itself. As most people know, BPA has been banned in multiple countries for its toxicity and health effects, including chromosomal abnormalities, birth defects, cancer,  heart problems, etc. Exposure to estrogen in BPA causes infertility in men and women, and early-onset puberty and hyperactivity disorders for children. Although some plastic bottles are BPA-free, phthalates in the bottle will seep into the water from the alternate polyethylene terephthalate and multiple other organic polymers. Luckily unlike America, Canada has bottled water regulations under the Food and Drugs Act which is overseen by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. All bottled water is inspected and treated during the manufacturing process to meet Canada’s standards. Some people expressed concern about small white particles in the water. In these cases, it is mineral particles separating from the water molecule. In Canada, we are told where the water comes from. Water labeled mineral or spring water is potable water from underground sources.

Canada, H. (2010, November 04). Government of Canada. Retrieved May 29, 2021, from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/food-nutrition/ysafety-bottled-water.html

Pied, T. (2020, August 03). Bottled water: The human health consequences of drinking from plastic. Retrieved May 29, 2021, from https://www.cleanwateraction.org/2020/07/29/bottled-water-human-health-consequences-drinking-plastic

The primary dangers of plastic bottled water. (2020, November 17). Retrieved May 29, 2021, from https://blog.gopurepod.com/news-research/the-primary-dangers-of-plastic-bottled-water/