Bottled Water Hides 'Forever Chemicals'

Contrary to popular belief, bottled water may not be the pure choice consumers assume. Recent lab tests commissioned by the watchdog app Oasis Health have uncovered a widespread presence of 'forever chemicals,' scientifically known as PFAS, in various bottled water brands. These chemicals, used to coat plastic bottles and caps, are byproducts of plastic production that persist in the environment and human body for decades, potentially disrupting biological processes.

The testing revealed PFAS contamination in both budget-friendly and premium bottled water brands. Concerns are mounting as these chemicals are linked to serious health issues, including hormonal disruption, increased inflammation, and developmental problems in fetuses. Even bottled water packaged in glass is not immune, as contamination can occur during purification or storage.

Specific brands showed concerning levels of PFAS, with Topo Chico and Perrier recording concentrations significantly exceeding the health guideline of 0.1 parts per trillion (ppt). Deer Park also showed elevated levels, while Essentia, Dasani, Smartwater, and Aquafina contained PFAS at double the recommended limit. Fiji was the only product not exceeding PFAS levels but tested positive for arsenic.