During the 1990s and well into the mid 2000s, the use of bottled water in the United States grew exponentially. It is believed that Americans turned to bottled water due to sleek advertising with extravagant claims concerning product freshness and health benefits derived from its use. In the later 2000s however, the growth of the bottled-water industry has slowed, as new information about the health and environmental effects from using its merchandise continues to make its way to the consumer.
History
The idea of bottling water is nothing new. For thousands of years the ability to transport water was an absolute necessity, not only for travelers, but for just about anybody who simply needed to bring water back home from the nearest source. Throughout most of history, water was moved around in primitive but ecologically benign vessels such as those made from clay or wood. Around 1845, the first glass bottles of water went on sale in the United States. In recent decades most glass containers were replaced by plastic.
Misconceptions
In March 1999, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released the results of a four-year scientific study on the bottled water industry. The report concluded that there is no evidence that bottled water is any safer than tap water. Further, the report showed that municipal tap water must meet higher government standards than its bottled counterpart. The added concern over various chemical and bacteriological contaminants associated with the use of plastic and unknown water sources shows that claims about bottled water's superiority are questionable.
Other Considerations
There is also evidence that some brands of bottled water may not be what they appear to be. It is important to carefully read the label to determine whether the water in question is derived from a spring or artesian wells. A bottle labeled simply as drinking water is likely from a tap. One brand labeled "Spring Water" was found by the NRDC to have originated from an industrial parking lot situated next to a hazardous waste site.
Environmental Concerns
According to an MSNBC report dated March 3, 2005, the number of water bottles sold grew from 3.3 billion in 1997 to 15 billion in 2002. Only about 12 percent of all plastic bottles were recycled in 2003, leaving the other 88 percent of non-recycled bottles to enter the waste stream and landfills in mind-boggling numbers. Further complicating matters is the fact there are often few recycling opportunities away from home, yet this is where most bottled water is consumed.
Making the Choice
While most bottled water sold in the United States is safe to drink, it is clear that one should not take water consumption lightly--whether bottled or otherwise. It is a good idea to have a basic knowledge about the water that one is drinking whenever possible; this, in addition to the ecological considerations. For those who have concerns about the presence of chlorine and fluoride in their municipal tap water, charcoal and other types of water filters are available and can be easily installed in the home.
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