This trend has been fueled by marketing campaigns that promote bottled water as being safer and healthier than tap water—claims the researchers say are misleading.
up to two-thirds of bottled water in the U.S. is simply repackaged tap water
"The widespread use of bottled water contributes significantly to pollution; it exposes people to potentially harmful contaminants and also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions," lead author Amit Abraham told Newsweek.
Harmful chemicals from plastic bottles, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, can leach into the water, the researchers said, especially when bottles are exposed to sunlight or high temperatures for extended periods. Studies have found contaminants, including microplastics, in up to 78 percent of bottled-water samples.
Microplastic contamination has been associated with a range of health issues, including oxidative stress, immune system disruption, and changes in blood fat levels. Exposure to BPA, a chemical commonly found in plastics, has been linked to long-term health risks such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
microplastics can also enter the food chain through bottled water consumption
In addition to health risks, the environmental toll of bottled water is immense. Plastic bottles account for 12 percent of ocean plastic pollution, making them the second most common plastic waste item found in the sea.
Only 9 percent of these bottles are recycled, with most ending up in landfills, incinerators or being shipped to low- and middle-income countries, raising ethical concerns about global waste management and social justice.
Even the process of making the bottles is damaging, with raw material extraction and manufacturing significantly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Water itself is needed too—between 17 and 35 liters for each bottle.
The onus should be on governments and regulatory bodies to rethink their policies. The authors urge governments, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to invest in safe and reliable tap water infrastructure to address the root cause of bottled water dependency.
