Contrary to popular belief, fancy labels, packaging and branding do not always imply you are consuming pure refreshing water from bottled water. This is not the case with many mineral water brands and studies have shown arsenic is the largest contaminant for most brands.
Instead of buying wasteful plastic bottles with potentially unsafe water, check out these reverse osmosis water systems and enjoy crystal clear water from your tap everyday!
Our Pick for the Best Reverse Osmosis Systems
Removes solids smaller than 1 micron to purify drinking water
Introduces calcium, potassium and magnesium into purified water to remineralise it
Reduces over 74 contaminants, metals, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals
Targets chlorine and ammonia via carbon filtration
Tank needs to be maintained and kept clean
Modular all-in-one filter design for easy maintenance
Comes with a complete DIY-friendly installation kit
EPA approved and certified by leading drinking water environmental groups
More expensive than most systems
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Bottled water is one product that almost all of us take for granted, thinking that it is safe for us to drink. After all, there are several regulatory bodies in the country responsible for monitoring food and water safety. Therefore, it is only natural to assume that corporations would take full responsibility for the safety of the drinking water products that they are supplying. It is unthinkable to imagine that major corporations would be selling contaminated, dangerous and polluted water to the public. Unfortunately, this is exactly what is happening.
Considering the prevalence of arsenic in water supplies and the danger that it poses, concerned citizens often wonder: “does bottled water have arsenic?” The answer will surprise you.
Arsenic in Bottled Water
The Center for Environmental Health carried out tests on the Penafiel and Starkey mineral water brands to find out that they have unsafe levels of arsenic in water. Starkey is owned by Whole Foods, while Penafiel is owned by Keurig Dr Pepper. What’s most troubling is that these are mineral water products from some of the leading consumer brands sold by retailers throughout the country, including Walmart.
You wouldn’t imagine that major mineral water brands are selling contaminated bottled water but this is precisely the case, unfortunately. And this is not happening for the first time. These offenders are the very same brands that were caught selling arsenic-contaminated water back in the past as well. If you think that this made them clean up their act, then you are wrong. They are at it again, which reflects their complete disregard for your personal safety and health.
According to a Consumer Reports investigation, Penafiel water bottles had arsenic concentrations of 18 parts per billion, which is above the EPA standard of 10 parts per billion.
High arsenic levels of 22 parts per billion in Penafiel were found way back in 2009. The FDA also issued two warnings, in 2015 and 2018 about unacceptably high arsenic levels. From the records that it has obtained, Consumer Reports states the FDA was aware of the arsenic problem in Penafiel since 2013.
In the wake of the Consumer Reports expose, Keurig Dr Pepper conceded that its testing shows an arsenic concentration of 17 parts per billion.
Starkey, on the other hand, was found to have arsenic concentrations of 11.7 parts per billion when it was tested by Florida regulators.
Should you be buying from brands that have no qualms about selling poisoned bottled water claiming that it is ‘pure’? Or should you protect your health as well as the health of your family by taking control of your drinking water – the most essential necessity of life?
But first, you must learn all the facts pertaining to arsenic, one of the most common pollutants in drinking water.
Facts About Arsenic
Is arsenic a metal?
Arsenic is described as a metalloid, that is, it is a semi-metal. In other words, it has the main properties of both metals and non-metals.
Where is arsenic found?
Arsenic poses a danger to health because unsafe levels of this toxic element may be found in air, food and water. The water supply is by far the biggest source of arsenic pollution. Certain places carry a higher risk of arsenic contamination.
Arsenic is so dangerous that regulatory bodies have had to revise the toxic threshold to much lower levels. The Environmental Protection Agency revised the arsenic standard in 2001. The new maximum limit is now 10 parts per billion compared to the previous standard of 50 parts per billion.
There are several places in the US where well water has higher levels of arsenic than what the EPA deems safe. In places like Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Michigan, Maine and New Hampshire, 20 percent of the well water has arsenic above the EPA standard. (Source)
Arsenic poisoning is associated with higher rates of heart disease as well as lung, bladder and skin cancers. Acute doses of arsenic can cause immediate poisoning symptoms and even death. (Source)
The World Health Organization on Arsenic
Arsenic is on the top 10 list of chemicals that are a major public health concern in the view of the World Health Organization. The WHO recommends that arsenic in drinking water should be no more than 10 micrograms per liter, however, possible steps should be taken to keep arsenic as low as possible. In the “Guidelines for drinking water quality”, the WHO has outlined measures for reducing arsenic in water.
The WHO states that arsenic is not just a carcinogen, but it is one of the most dangerous chemicals to be found in drinking water supplies across the world. The most dangerous forms of arsenic are inorganic compounds. Unfortunately, these inorganic forms of arsenic are found in drinking water supplies across the world, including the US.
The acute effects of arsenic poisoning include diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting. Higher doses of arsenic can cause muscle cramping, tingling of the extremities, numbness and eventually death.
The long-term effects of arsenic include myocardial infarction, kidney diseases, pulmonary disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases. It is also associated with heightened infant mortality and birth defects. Arsenic has several adverse consequences for mental health, including impaired memory, intelligence and cognitive development. (Source)
How to Remove Arsenic from Drinking Water?
In order to keep arsenic as well as other harmful contaminants out of your drinking water, you should use reverse osmosis filtration systems for purifying water.
The CDC recommends reverse osmosis systems for removing arsenic from drinking water. Ion exchange, distillation and ultra-filtration can also help in the removal of arsenic.
Removes solids smaller than 1 micron to purify drinking water
Introduces calcium, potassium and magnesium into purified water to remineralise it
Reduces over 74 contaminants, metals, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals
Targets chlorine and ammonia via carbon filtration
Tank needs to be maintained and kept clean
Modular all-in-one filter design for easy maintenance
Comes with a complete DIY-friendly installation kit
EPA approved and certified by leading drinking water environmental groups
More expensive than most systems
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