William Atkins
Thursday, 16 October 2008 20:13
Science -
Health
Page 1 of 3
In the ten bottled water brands tested, thirty-eight different contaminates were found by the public health activist group Environmental Working Group. Two brands (Wal-mart's Sam's Choice and Giant Food's Acadia) violated state and industry standards.
Consumer watchdog organization
Environmental Working Group, headquartered in Washington, D.C., stated within an October 15, 2008 New York Times article, that it found a
“surprising array of chemical contaminants.” [The New York Times: “
A New Dig at Bottled Water”]
As reported by the EWG, also on Wednesday, October 15, some of the chemical contaminants included chlorination byproducts, bacteria, caffeine, acetaminophen (pain reliever), solvents, plastic-making chemicals, strontium (radioactive element), and fertilizer residue. {EWG: “
Bottled Water Quality Investigation: 10 Major Brands, 38 Pollutants”]
The EWG researchers stated that some of the contaminants came from the tap water used by the bottled water companies, while other contaminants came from the plastic water bottles.
The water tested by the EWG researchers was purchased in nine states and the District of Columbia.
They stated that eight of the ten brands did not have sufficient amounts of contaminants to make further tests. However, they stated that two brands did have higher amounts of contaminants.
Therefore, they further tested these two brands: Sam’s Choice (which is sold by Wal-Mart) and Acadia (sold by Giant Foods)
What was the worst found pollutant with respect to its concentration? Please read page two.
