The blog libredecontaminantes echoes a study carried out by researchers from the ibs.GRANADA
An analysis of bottled water carried out by researchers from the Institute for Biosanitary Research ibs.GRANADA and published in Environment International found hormonal contaminants in ALL the bottles analyzed.
That is, bottled water is a source of exposure to hormonal pollutants or endocrine disruptors, EDCs. This exposure can be high, if we take into account that the consumption of bottled water has increased in recent decades, even in areas where tap water is of high quality. Spain, with an annual consumption of 124 liters per capita, is the eighth country in the world in the purchase of bottled water. This increase in consumption is due, in part, to strong marketing efforts that have led consumers to view bottled water as "healthier" than tap water, according to a study carried out in England.
But it seems that bottled water is not that healthy. Tras Analyze in the laboratory the hormonal activity of 29 samples of bottled water marketed in Spain as "natural mineral water" and from different natural springs, the results indicate that all the water samples have hormonal action. This action is of four types: Estrogenic activity, that is, they contain substances that mimic natural estrogens, androgenic activity, by mimicking natural male hormones and anti-estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities, by having substances that inhibit the action of both types of hormones.
The concentrations of hormonal pollutants found are small but, unfortunately, these toxins cause adverse effects, especially in the fetus and children at these concentrations, which are those of hormones (picomolar and nanomolar). These effects range from impaired fertility to metabolic, immune, neurodevelopmental problems, and cancer in hormone-dependent organs, such as breast, thyroid, testicular, or prostate cancer. Although the characteristics of materials in contact with the drink are regulated in Europe, there are numerous studies that show that packaging can be a source of hormonal contaminants.
PET, polyethylene terephthalate
Of the 29 bottles analyzed in the study carried out in Spain, 26 were made of PET plastic or Polyethylene terephthalate, a thermoplastic polymer from which 80% of water bottles are manufactured. Chemical substances called phthalates to add color and other features. These substances are also found in cap resins and packaging lines.
From the bottle, these additives can migrate into the water. Therefore, it is advisable not to reuse the water bottles or leave them in the sun, since time and radiation are factors that help its release in water. Other hormonal contaminants have also been found in these types of bottles, such as alkylphenols, used in disinfection and benzophenones, from high-density polyethylene caps.
OTHER PLASTICS
Although this study has not analyzed water from bottles made of other types of plastics, there are a large number of studies that have.
This is the labeling and numbering for the different types of plastic:
PET is number 1.
Water bottles can also be high density polyethylene HDPE, number 2. There are studies that relate it to the emission of benzophenones, which are hormonal pollutants.
The 3 is PVC, most used in toys and clothes, but it also releases toxins such as phthalates.
The numbers 4 and 5, low-density polyethylene and polypropylene, are the ones that release the least polluting substances, according to the studies carried out.
The number 6, polystyrene, it is not used in bottles, but in food trays. It is also a material to avoid as it releases hormonal pollutants.
The number 7 refers to Polycarbonate. Numerous studies relate it to the release of bisphenolA and it has been banned from food packaging in countries such as France.
Here you can see a study of the endocrine activity and toxicity of these products.
GLASS BOTTLES
But in the Spanish study, three of the water samples were in glass bottles. And hormonal contaminants have also been found in them, although in a lower concentration than in PET ones.
In another study developed by Wagner and Oehlmann in 2009, they found hormonal contaminants in a third of glass bottles compared to 90% of PET bottles. Additionally, glass bottles have been found to release lead, antimony, and alkylphenols into water. The study carried out in Granada has similar results, so it seems that the bottling process in the plant together with the plastic or metal caps may be a source of contaminants that should be analyzed in greater depth. In any case, we consider glass containers to be preferable to plastic ones. To these data on the existence of substances that damage health in bottled water, we must add the problem of waste generation, which is linked to this consumption. Wouldn't it be better to demand that our municipalities make the municipal water as safe as possible and to drink tap water, without paying more or generating more waste?
We leave here the study carried out by the Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada