Microbial contamination and chemical pollution of bottled water

The contamination of bottled water is no longer a guess. A relatively thorough study was conducted by the Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control, Department of Chemistry at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, led by professors Th. Grigoratos and K. Fytianos – Director of the aforementioned Laboratory – which states among other things.

Chemical pollution and Microbial contamination of bottled water

Heterotrophic Bacteria (Heterotrophic Plate Count Bacteria, HPC): There are several reports of high concentrations of heterotrophic bacteria in bottled waters.

Gram-Negative Cocci: They are the predominant pathogenic microorganisms found in bottled water. In a study in the United Kingdom involving more than 700 samples where on-site testing was conducted, it was found that 97.5% of the total pathogenic microorganisms were Gram-negative cocci: a) Pseudomonas (Pseudomonas SPP): In bottled waters originating from England, France, and Belgium, the bacteria pseudomonas fluoroscens (pyocyanic) and pseudomonas vesicularis were identified in high percentages, while pseudomonas diminuta was found in Belgian bottled water. It has been reported that in Greece, the most frequently found bacteria are pyocyanic pseudomonas as well as ps. Stutzeri. Additionally, in Portugal, a high percentage of ps. Aeruginosa is reported. Finally, in Germany and the USA, the dominant species are ps. Stutzeri and ps. Putida. b) Campylobacters:

In a study in England and Wales involving patients suffering from acute gastroenteritis, it was found that among other factors, 55% had consumed bottled water. c) Other Gram-Negative Rods: There have been reported cases where bottled water served as a medium for the spread of pathogenic microorganisms, such as vibrio cholerae, which caused a cholera outbreak in Portugal. Other strains that have been isolated include moraxella and comamonas, which have been identified in bottled waters of English and French origin.

Chemical pollution of bottled water

The presence of nitrates in bottled waters, both in the cases mentioned and in studies conducted in the U.S., is linked to health problems, primarily in infants. A notable case is the contamination of a groundwater source by an industrial facility in Massachusetts, U.S. Tests conducted on bottled waters from this source showed high concentrations of trichloroethylene, dichloroethane, and other organics.

The heavy metals whose presence has been reported from time to time in bottled waters are arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium. In a study in the U.S., violations were reported for both arsenic and cadmium as well as mercury. Also, in a study by NRDC, 8% of the samples violated the limit of 5 ppb for arsenic.

Bottling materials

High levels of plasticizers and other toxic substances, used to improve the physical properties of PVC (elasticity), have been found to migrate into water. As a result, this causes contamination of bottled water. In bottled waters in the U.S., the presence of phthalates and styrene has been reported, as well as the presence of 1,4 benzenedicarboxaldehyde, butyl ester of benzoic acid, ethyl ester of 4-ethoxybenzoic acid, and DEHA [di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate] in bottled waters packaged with PET in Washington, U.S. There have also been reports of cases where chemicals whose identity could not be determined by classical analytical methods (HPLC, GC-MS, etc.) were detected. As mentioned, the presence of such components in water has unknown consequences for human health, although research has shown that long-term exposure of the human body to phthalates may cause potential endocrine system dysfunctions, even cancer, while DEHA is associated with weight loss, liver problems, and reproductive difficulties. It should be noted that sunlight can also cause oxidative processes in glass, so there may be a subsequent migration of toxic components into the water.

Storage of bottled water

For water that is bottled in bottles made of PET, an increase in HPC has been reported of up to 10,000 times with three weeks of storage. Another study showed an increase in HPC of up to 1,000 times with just one week of storage in a cool and shaded place. Regarding chemical contamination, we observed that even with storage at low temperatures and in the absence of radiation, the concentration of synthetic water-soluble organic substances increases, while storage in heat and radiation increases the concentration of toxic substances and plasticizers.

Bottled water and vulnerable population groups

As mentioned, trihalomethanes are responsible for sudden miscarriages in pregnant women as well as cancers, particularly in children and the elderly. Additionally, arsenic is linked to sudden miscarriages, while nitrites are responsible for the “blue baby syndrome.” Fluorides are responsible for dental fluorosis in children. We have seen cases where samples of bottled water contained high concentrations of arsenic and nitrates. In other waters, the presence of THMs was reported, and fluorides were also found, sometimes at higher levels than in drinking water. There have been reports of waters rich in sodium and potassium, which are naturally unsuitable for individuals on a low-salt diet. Furthermore, there are not a few cases of microbial contamination that have been reported. Species of ps. Cepacia isolated in French bottled water are associated with effects on children’s lungs, while coliforms found in some samples in the U.S. cause disturbances in children and the elderly.