Worrying Molecule Found In Bottled Water

Worrying Molecule Found In Bottled Water

David Bradley

German researchers have used a combination of bioassay work and high-resolution mass spectrometry to pin down the source of endrocrine-disrupting behaviour in 18 bottled water products. Of 24,520 suspect chemicals, the one that showed consistent results across all tests and displayed anti-androgenic and anti-estrogenic activity is di(2-ethylhexyl) fumarate (DEHF).

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which interfere with an organism's hormonal systems, have been implicated in developmental and reproductive effects seen in nature and human medicine. More recently, suspicions have been raised that they might also increase the risk of cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Of particular concern and public controversy have been bisphenol A (BPA) and the phthalates, organic compounds that mimic sex hormones.

Martin Wagner and Jörg Oehlmann of the Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, and Michael Schlüsener and Thomas Ternes of the German Federal Institute of Hydrology, have turned their attention to bottled water given growing concerns that such products might contain worrying levels of EDCs. Wagner and colleagues obtained data on the anti-estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity of 18 bottled water products. The researchers then combined the data from water that showed such activity and found trace amounts of up to 24,520 different chemicals were present.

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‘This work is a "tour de force" in identification of endocrine disruptors in packaged materials, says EDC expert Bruce Blumberg of the University of California, Irvine. He suggests that, ‘it is a bit early to make any strong inferences about how detrimental these chemicals will be toward human health,’ but adds that ‘It is certain that they are not beneficial.’ Moreover, Blumberg believes that this type of analysis, ‘will be very important for our future understanding of what chemicals we are routinely exposed to and which of these pose hazards of being endocrine disruptors.’

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Through the use of slick ad campaigns and the constant misinformation put out regarding tap water sales of bottled water are booming. That not only harms the environment but studies like the one above are revealing that these slick campaigns to make you think bottled water is safer than tap water are honestly, bunk. Now, I know from speaking to people about this that they all claim tap water doesn't taste good. And of course in our spoiled society that should be the first thing that matters. Right?

I myself boil water at home and make iced herbal tea or just drink the water. I use a filter on my tap and feel much more at ease. I never felt "safe" drinking bottled water and have always considered that buying it only exacerbates plastic waste in our oceans and landfills as well as exacerbating climate change (drought) and pollution.

This particular article concerns me greatly considering the article below, the stats in it which I will note. I would suggest people do some research before even contemplating consuming bottled water not only in regard to their own health but also the effect it has on our environment. Buy a filter and boil your water if it makes you feel safer. It is much better in the long run than taking a chance on a product that could well be poisoning you.

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Cost Of Bottled Water Vs.Tap Water: The Difference Will Shock You

From link:

Americans spent $11.8 billion dollars on bottled water in 2012, the latest data available from the BMC. This represented a 6.5% increase from 2011, during which the bottled water industry made $11 billion.

That $11.8 billion was spent on nearly 9.7 billion gallons of water, putting the average cost at $1.22/gallon. 64% of this amount, however, was spent on single- the 16.9oz/500 mL container mentioned above which can push costs up to $7.50/gallon. American Water Works Association showed that tap water costs only $0.004 a gallon, less than 1/300 the cost of bottled water.

And we are the biggest bottled water drinkers on the planet in terms of sheer volume: China has been catching up as of late, having consumed 7.7 billion gallons to our 9.7 billion. But we still account for 15% of total world consumption, which stands at about 61.4 billion gallons annually. And somewhat surprisingly, we drink more bottled water than bottled soda on an annual basis, according to the BMC. Though Europe was the originator of bottled water (Perrier is, after all, French), largely due to earlier tap water supply issues, America now drinks almost three times as much bottled water as the largest European consumer, Italy (3 billion gallons).

Bottled water consumption and sales have increased 312% and 371%, respectively, since BMC began tracking dollar amounts in 1991. In that year, Americans spent $2.5 billion on 2.4 billion gallons about $1.07/gallon.

We have also more than tripled our bottled water intake per capita since 1991, from 9.8 gallons per person annually to 30.8 i n 2012, the highest level on record. Mexico is the world leader in gallons consumed per person, though, at 65.5; the U.S. ranks 11th. The rest of the top 5 are: Italy, 49.9; Thailand, 44.9; United Arab Emirates, 43.2; and Belgium/Luxembourg, at 38.3.

"What’s most remarkable about this data, though, is what it says about the American consumer: that despite the (debatably) excessively high cost of bottled water when compared to its tap equivalent, we continue to buy it – even during an economic downturn," writes Colas. "While Americans did cut back slightly on bottled water during the recession about -3% over the course of 2008-2009 consumption hit a new all-time high in 2012 and shows no sign of stopping."

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Are we Americans so special that we think nothing of consuming this resource so rapaciously as over a billion people on our planet go without access to clean water or sanitation? WE NEED AN INTERVENTION in this country! Wake up America. You are being duped by globalization into contributing to the thirst of millions of people as well as the continued choking of our world in plastic. That without even mentioning the toxic chemicals including Endocrine Disruptors you might just be consuming in your zeal to make these companies rich as they suck the life out of developing countries and our own to serve arrogance and greed.

And now, as we see rivers like the Colorado in danger of dwindling away due to overuse and climate change it becomes even more imperative to step back and reflect on just where we are going. Will you allow these companies to suck the Great Lakes dry for profit just because we think we are entitled to it regardless of the cost? If so, it is a sad statement of what we have become.

Although to also make note, I also understand that as we see more "Fracking" taking place we will see more instances where water supplies will be contaminated. I am sure bottled water companies are salivating over it. Another reason why we must stand up to BAN Fracking.

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Experts: Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Pose Global Health Threat

In an editorial published in Endocrinology, a journal of The Endocrine Society, endocrine experts agreed that endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) pose a threat to human health and to the ecosystems of the earth. The editorial comes in response to a commentary (Dietrich et al. Chem Biol Interact) signed by a number of editors of toxicology journals that dismisses the state-of-the-science on EDCs and argues for the status quo in the regulation of these hazardous substances.

EDCs are commonly found in food and food containers, plastic products, furniture, toys, carpeting, building materials, and cosmetics. They are often released from the products that contain them and enter the bodies of humans and wildlife through dust or through the food chain. A large volume of studies have shown that EDCs exert their effects by interfering with endogenous hormone action and can impact male and female reproduction, breast development and cancer, prostate cancer, neuroendocrinology, thyroid, metabolism and obesity, and cardiovascular endocrinology.

"The Dietrich et al. paper neglects the fundamental principles of how the endocrine system works and how chemicals can interfere with its normal function, nor does it consider the consequences of that interference," said Andrea Gore, PhD, lead author of the editorial and Editor-in-Chief of Endocrinology. "We cannot have sound policies for regulating these chemicals when we ignore the science."

The Endocrinology editorial, Gore et al., represents an unprecedented response from the endocrine community. The editorial was signed by 20 editors-in-chief and 28 associate and senior editors of endocrine, neuroendocrine, environmental, and other peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Teresa Woodruff, PhD, President of The Endocrine Society and several other presidents of societies or medical organizations have also signed on to the editorial.

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Is it really worth it? They count on you just relying on what they tell you and "trusting" them. You can't. Simple as that.