LATEST YOGA

A recent report from Orb Media revealed that there are plastic particles in 93% of bottled water. But wait . . . don’t most people drink bottled water because they view it as a safer alternative to tap water?
 
The media has recently released disturbing findings that plastic particles have been found in the world’s leading bottled water brands. With 93% of the samples tested containing plastic particles, it is being called a “widespread contamination.”
 
This raises a lot of questions about the safety of bottled water and the health implications that come with ingesting plastic. Is bottled water safe to drink? Is tap water the better alternative, or is there another option?
 

Here Are 7 Facts About Bottled Water to Consider:

Is bottled water safe to drink? And do the benefits outweigh the negative aspects? Read on for these seven startling bottled water facts and decide for yourself.
 

1. Plastic particles have been found in bottled water

While it’s known that bottled water is almost always packaged in plastic bottles, it’s assumed that the bottles are safe to drink out of. Yet 65 PERCENT of the particles found were actually fragments of plastic and not just microscopic fibers.
 
The Orb Media report found that, “Particle concentration ranged from zero to more than 10,000 likely plastic particles in a single bottle.”
 
 

2. Americans spend billions of dollars a year on bottled water

A recent study found that Americans are spending $16 BILLION a year on bottled water! So, if the average cost of bottled water is $1.27, that makes bottled water approximately 400 times more expensive than tap water.
 
 

3. You don’t even want to know what plastic bottles are made from

Crude oil. Yep, that’s right – you’re drinking bottled water from plastic bottles that are made with PET (polyethylene terephthalate) which is derived from crude oil.
 
 

4. Let’s talk about the carbon footprint

In 2006, it took 17 million barrels of oil to produce the plastic bottles . . . for Americans alone! Bottling the water used another 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide. For every 1 liter of bottled water, it took 3 liters to produce. That was over ten years ago. Imagine what the current figures look like.
 
Here’s a fascinating statistic: According to the Pacific Institute, “the total amount of energy embedded in our use of bottled water can be as high as the equivalent of filling a plastic bottle one quarter full with oil.”
 
 

5. Where is this bottled water coming from?

As it turns out, roughly half of all bottled water comes directly from tap water that’s then put through a filtration process. If your bottled water says it comes from “public” or “municipal water sources” this means it is being sourced from treated tap water.
 
Another strange fact about bottled water is that much of it (in the US) is being sourced from drought zones like California.
 
If you’re interested in diving deeper, this article offers more in-depth information on these bottled water sources.
 

 

6. Tap water is more regulated than bottled water

Tap water is regulated by the EPA and undergoes testing for e coli and other bacteria. While that obviously doesn’t totally solve the problem of contaminants (ranging from plastic to chemicals and toxins) found in the public water supply, these standards are higher and more strict than the FDA’s standards for bottled water, which do not include filtration requirements.
 

Cornwall Wildlife Trust

 

7. Our environment is the ultimate victim

If plastic water bottles don’t get properly recycled, it can take up to 1,000 years for them to break down.
 
According to Cornell University professor and recycling advocate Doug James, only 12% of all plastic water bottles consumed are getting recycled. Sadly, much of these plastic bottles end up in the ocean, causing a huge threat to marine life.
 

Only 12% of all plastic water bottles consumed are getting recycled.

 
Oil pollution and pollution in general (among other factors) are damaging the ocean’s coral reefs and hurting sea life. Fish mistake plastic for food and ingest it, which not only hurts or kills marine life, but also leads to human consumption of contaminated fish.
 

These Bottled Water Facts Raise the Question – Should We Ditch the Plastic?

Ultimately the choice is yours, but informing and educating yourself is the first step towards making a change. Not all bottled water brands are bad, but evidence of the risks associated with drinking bottled water is compelling.
 
Beyond that, bottled water is impacting our planet – there’s no doubt about it. So where do we go from here? If you continue to drink bottled water, look for a brand that sources clean, purified water and uses eco-friendly packaging. Be sure to recycle too! Or better yet, choose a reusable, refillable eco-friendly glass or metal bottle for your water.
 
Finally, consider using a home water filter that purifies the water (not all home filters purify the water – many of them only filter for taste so be sure you’re researching before choosing).
 
AquaTru is one countertop water purifier that uses reverse osmosis technology to remove toxic chemicals from your tap water. Whichever route you choose, look for filtered water that uses reverse osmosis filtration so you know you’re getting clean, safe drinking water.
 
Use code: YOGI to get $100 off the AquaTru Countertop Purifier Click here to try it in your home.

The post Is Bottled Water Safe? These 7 Surprising Facts Might Change Your Perspective appeared first on YogiApproved™.

from YogiApproved™ https://ift.tt/2FrKtBX