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How safe is your bottled water? |
Chemicals, contaminants, pollution, price.
These are several factors consumers should consider when deciding whether to buy bottled water, according to Reader's Digest. In a February, 2008, article, titled "How safe is your bottled water?", the magazine examines the realities and misunderstandings of the water we drink.
Among some of the publication's findings:
- More than 25% of bottled water comes from public sources.
- While noting most bottled water is safe, a 1999 report by the National Resources Defense Council discovered that "at least one sample of a third of the brands contained" contaminants.
- Federal regulators do not have oversight of up to 70 percent of bottled water, according to the NRDC report.
- Between 1990 and 2007, there were about 100 recalls of bottled water.
- Fewer than 20% of single-serving bottles are recycled.
The article also contains a sidebar on filtered water, noting that WQA, NSF and Underwriters Laboratories offer approvals on tested products.
The magazine is available on newsstands now or through paid subscription available here.
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