Bottled Water Containing Higher Level of Toxic Chemical Associated With Birth Defects & Cancer Than Tap Water – NRDC Calls for Better Testing, Labelings and Regulations–
WASHINGTON(RUSHPRNEWS) 09/17/2008– – The bottled water that millions of Americans drink each day is allowed to contain higher levels of a toxic chemical associated with birth defects and cancer than tap water, according to a bottled water expert from the Natural Resources Defense Council who testified in the Senate September 10.
In her testimony before the subcommittee responsible for drinking water quality, NRDC attorney Mae Wu will stress that Americans have the right to know what toxic chemicals and other contaminants are in their bottled water. Currently water utilities are required to report annually to customers about the contaminants they have tested for and whether any health standards have been violated. There is no such requirement for bottled water.
“The public should not assume that water purchased in a bottle is better regulated, more pure, or safer than most tap water. Water utilities are required to tell the public more about their tap water than bottled water companies are. We need better standards and stronger reporting requirements for bottled water. Everyone deserves safe and affordable drinking water. The best way to get there is to invest in our tap water systems, not turn to bottled water,” Wu said.
To read Wu’s complete testimony, go to http://docs.nrdc.org/water/wat_08091001A.pdf.
The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.2 million members and online activists, served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing.
