The bottled water segment is perhaps the fastest growing segment in the beverage industry. Its annual sales are estimated to exceed $11 billion. Bottled water companies have been known to employ slick marketing techniques in a bid to convince the populace that their water is not only clean but also healthy for human consumption. Unfortunately, this is not always true as the bottles are not only hazardous to human health but also pose a danger to the surrounding environment.
Bottled Water and BPA
What many people don’t realize is the fact that there is very little, if any, difference between tap water and bottled water. Bottled water, however, does cost much more. Additionally, the water is generally bottled in plastics that leach xenoestrogenic chemicals into the water that they hold.
The leaching chemicals are known to disrupt hormonal balances required in a person’s body. A good example is BPA (bisphenol A). The chemical has previously been linked to problems pertaining to neurodevelopment in young children. It can stimulate premature puberty or lead to the development of breasts in men. Additionally, it has been linked to prostate, breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers.
Normally, plastic bottles come with labels on the lower part that can reveal the source of the plastic. The general consensus, however, is that all plastics are toxic. This is because they come with phalates that tend to be potent with the xenoestrogenic chemicals.
Plastic Bottles and the Surrounding Environment
Plastic bottles are today considered the leading environmental pollutant. Plastics make up a big portion of the mammoth garbage patch currently floating around the Pacific Ocean. The patch is estimated to be two times the size of the state of Texas and is growing by the day.
What Is the Solution?
For many, the solution is to acquire a high-quality home water filtration system. Again, there is a need to switch to mugs or glasses in residences and carrying stainless steel bottles when heading outdoors. Quality water filtration systems assist in the removal of Rx drug residue, disinfectant byproducts, pesticides, chlorine, and many other known toxins. Every homeowner should strive to acquire a quality water filtration system for the entire residence to eliminate prescription residue, chlorine, pesticides, and DBP from all the household water (toilet bowl, cleaning, and shower).