By FEMI AKINOLA
As demand for bottled water continues to grow, researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine, Qatar, has said recent studies carried out on bottled water indicated it cotained cancer causing chemicals.
The researchers noted that contaminants, including microplastics, in bottled water samples taken is up to 78% as stated in a new commentary published in BMJ Globa Health.
According to the researchers, harmful chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, can leach into the water, especially when the bottle is exposed to sunlight or high temperature for extended periods.
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They noted that microplastic contamination has been associated with a range of health issues, including oxidatives stress, immune syatem distruption, and changes inblood fat levels.
Exposure to BPA, a chemical commonly found in plastics, has been linked to long-term health risks such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
According to the researchers, the trend has been fueled by marketing campaigns that promote bottled water as being safe and healthier than tap water, a claim the researchers say is misleading.
While there are short-term safety thresholds, the long term effects of the contaminants, the authors wrote, remain largely unknown. They added that microplastivcs can also enter the food chain through bottled water consumption.
The authors urges governments, particularly in low and middle income countries, to invest in safe and reliable tap water infrastructure to address the root cause of bottled water dependency.
