Bottled water threatens health and the environment, experts say

Experts warn that bottled water, often marketed as safer than tap, exposes users to harmful chemicals and contributes heavily to plastic pollution.

Tom Howarth reports for Newsweek.

In short:

• Bottled water often contains contaminants, including microplastics and chemicals like BPA, which can pose serious health risks.
• The production and disposal of plastic bottles contribute significantly to pollution, with only 9% being recycled.
• Researchers argue that governments must improve tap water infrastructure to reduce dependency on bottled water.

Key quote:

“The widespread use of bottled water contributes significantly to pollution; it exposes people to potentially harmful contaminants and also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.”

— Amit Abraham, lead author

Why this matters:

Plastic pollution from bottled water harms ecosystems and disproportionately affects low-income communities. Reducing bottled water use could improve public health and lessen environmental damage.

Related:

• Natural water brands sued for microplastic contamination
• Michigan's water extraction issue continues despite promises
• Safe water remains elusive for California's rural communities