Bottled Water Controversy

I recently received an e-mail from a friend warning about the dangers of plastic water bottles. Citing Sheryl Crow and Johns Hopkins, it claimed that when bottled water is left out in the sun (in your car, for example), chemicals from the plastic in the bottles can leach into the water and then into your body when you drink it, possibly leading to breast cancer.

I did a little research and found out that not only was Johns Hopkins not behind this study, but that Sheryl Crow never actually attributed bottled water to breast cancer. Also, according to Rolf Haden, PhD, PE, with Johns Hopkins, “there are no dioxins in plastics.” Dioxins are “highly carcinogenic” toxins (Wikipedia), formed during combustion processes that have been linked to cancer.

So, the good news is that the only thing you shouldn't leave in your car on a hot day is a rental DVD. However, there are some other good reasons not to drink bottled water.

1. It’s ridiculously expensive when compared to a filtration system or tap water.
2. Most of it isn’t much better for you than tap water.
3. It creates more waste.
4. It reduces demand for state governments to improve tap water supply.
5. Corporations are usurping groundwater and distribution rights.

If you want to play it safe, forgo plastic altogether: buy a stainless steel thermos ($25) and a Brita pitcher ($40, but cheaper on Amazon.com). If you do find yourself high and dry, however, here are some good sites to help determine which bottled water to choose.

• Which Bottled Water Is the Best?
• Best Mineral and Spring Waters
• Women's Health Best Bottled Water