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What Chemicals Does Bottled Water Contain?

Most people think of bottled water as more pure than regular water, and in many cases it is safer than alternatives, particularly in developing nations. However, studies have found that some types of bottled water have trace amounts of certain chemicals in them, many of them harmful in higher doses.

  1. Arsenic

    • In some cases, bottled water contains trace amounts of arsenic, according to a study by the Natural Resources Defense Council. Arsenic is a metalloid often used in pesticides, herbicides and insecticides, although use is declining due to the danger the element poses. Arsenic poisoning is a great risk to drinking water in developing nations. It is a concern in America as well, as federal, state and local regulators seek to keep the chemical from entering the water supply in even trace amounts due to its danger to humans.

    Industrial Chemicals

    • Bottled water also sometimes contains industrial chemicals, such as toluene and xylene, or chemicals used in the manufacture of plastic, such as phthalates, NRDC found in its study. You can find phthalates in shower curtains, toys and cosmetics. Phthalates can cause male fetuses in pregnant women to not properly develop their reproductive organs, leading to undescended testicles and low sperm counts.

    Fluoride

    • Fluoride is common in bottled water in low concentrations. However, excessive amounts of fluoride can lead to fluoride poisoning, when fluoride combines with calcium, weakening the nervous system and potentially leading to death.

    Estrogenic Chemicals

    • Some bottled water contains estrogenic chemicals, according to a study published in the Environmental Science and Pollution Research journal. The chemical leaches out of the bottle's plastic and into the water, where it is consumed by humans and enters the bloodstream. The chemical, known as xenohormone, is a man-made chemical with a hormone-like effect which can interfere with reproduction and development.

    Trihalomethanes and Bromodichloromethane

    • Trihalomethanes are chemical compounds used as refrigerants or solvents. Often known as THMs, they may cause cancer, and studies have also linked them to reproductive disorders. Bottled water also may contain bromodichloromethane, which is considered a carcinogen and regulated in California, according to a study by the Environmental Working Group.

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