William Atkins
Thursday, 16 October 2008 20:13
Science -
Health
Page 2 of 3
According to the AP article, the worst bottled water concerning the highest concentration of chlorine byproducts (trihalomethanes) was 35 parts per billion (ppb). [Associated Press: “
Bottled water has contaminants too, study finds”]
That concentration was in both Sam’s Choice and Acadia. The report stated that the limit in the state of California for that chemical is 10 ppb, the IBWA limit is also 10 ppb, and the federal limit is 80 ppb.
Therefore, according to the EWG, these brands violated the California state and IBWA limit, but was within the limit for the U.S. government.
Giant Foods stated that its Acadia brand meets all regulatory standards. And Wal-mart stated its Sam’s Choice brand had in the past shown no “reportable amounts” of such contaminants when it was tested by the company. [AP]
The New York Times reports that the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) called the accusations “alarmist” and “sensationalized science.”
Joe Doss, president of the IBWA, stated,
“In general, the report is based on the faulty premise that if any substance is present in a bottled water product, even if it does not exceed the established regulatory limit or no standard has been set, then it’s a health concern.” [New York Times]
Page three comments on the Doss statment.
