Summary
A new study found harmful chemicals called disinfection by-products (DBPs) in several brands of bottled water. These chemicals are also found in tap water, but bottled water generally contained fewer DBPs. Despite the presence of these chemicals, bottles using spring water typically had lower levels of DBPs than those labeled as purified.
Key Facts
- The study looked at both regulated and unregulated DBPs in 10 popular bottled water brands.
- All brands tested contained some DBPs, but bottled water had fewer DBPs than tap water.
- The study authors did not name the brands, but noted that "grocery" and "name" brands had more DBPs than "designer" brands.
- Bottled water labeled as spring water had lower DBP levels than those labeled as purified.
- Chemicals like dibromoacetonitrile, which can be cancer-causing, were present but in small amounts.
- Unregulated DBPs found for the first time included chloroacetonitrile and trichloronitromethane.
- The FDA regulates some DBPs in bottled water, but not all, including many found in tap water.
- Tap water had a greater variety of DBPs, averaging 37 different types compared to just 3 in bottled waters.
