A study conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment says that most of the brands of packaged/mineral water available in the country contain pesticides -- several of them banned -- significantly higher than permissible limits, which can cause serious physical impairment ranging from damage to the central nervous system to lung cancer.
The European Economic Commission directs that the maximum residue limit for total pesticides is 0.0005 mg per litre and 0.0001 mg per litre for a single pesticide.The pesticides which were tested for include organochlorines, organophosphorous, chlorpyrifos, malathion and DDT.The study says that the pesticide content varied in bottled water brands because of the source of raw water.The water used may be from any source, right from spring water to municipal water.
Under the standard of identity regulations in the United States ,bottled water may only be labeled "mineral water"if it: (1) contains not less than 250 ppm total dissolved solids; (2) comes from a source tapped at one or more bore holes or springs; (3) originates from a hydrogeologically protected source; and (4) contains no added minerals. A bottled water product must bear the appropriate name as reflected in the applicable standard of identity definition. As per U.S. standard most of the brands of Bottled water marketed in India contain less than 200ppm of Total Dissolved Solids and hence cannot be termed as 'Mineral Water" in the true sense.
Apart from the quality of water, the packaging or the bottling also plays an important role.Commonly, the bottled water we purchase is in PET bottles labeled #1 (polyethylene terephthalate),contain plasticizer -Di (2-ethylhexyl) Adipate (DEHA) which was at one time believed to cause cancer and development and reproductive defects esp. in rodents.However after detailed investigations the FDA has published that the level of the plasticizer that may leach out is well below the level showing no toxic effect on the animals. Repeated washing bottles with hot water and detergent or a rinse with bleach will definitely sanitize them, but also leaches harmful chemicals out of the plastic, so not advisable for repeated uses.A study also shows that liquid contents in PET bottles should not be more than a week and the PET bottles should be kept away from heat.
Similarly, Polycarbonate water bottles labeled #7 contain Bisphenol A which is a key building block of polycarbonate plastic. In recent years a number of researchers from government agencies, academia and industry worldwide have studied the potential for low levels of BPA to migrate from polycarbonate products into foods and beverages. These studies show that the potential migration of BPA into food is extremely low, generally less than 5 parts per billion, under specified conditions of use of polycarbonate products and therefore poses no known risk to human health.
At the bottom of the bottle in a triangle there is a number.which indicates plastic identification number
#1 - Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
#2 - High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
#3 - Vinyl (Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC)
#4 - Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
#5 - Polypropylene (PP)
#6 - Polystyrene (PS)
#7 - Other (which commonly includes: Polycarbonate, ABS, Nylon,
Acrylic or a composite of 2 or more resins).If the number is between 1 to 4, then the bottle is good for a single use only.A number 5 or above indicates that the bottle can be used multiple times.
However with all this,one feels that there is nothing like drinking clean boiled water.
