BOTTLED WATER: YOUR BOTTLED WATER: YOUR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF

THE ENVIRONMENTTHE ENVIRONMENT

Andrew Kucharski, Ph.D. studentAndrew Kucharski, Ph.D. studentWalden UniversityWalden University

PUBH-8165-2PUBH-8165-2Instructor: Dr. Raymond ThronInstructor: Dr. Raymond Thron

Spring, 2009Spring, 2009

LEARNING GOALSLEARNING GOALS The growing market for bottled water in The growing market for bottled water in

the United Statesthe United States Understand the impact of empty water Understand the impact of empty water

bottles on the environmentbottles on the environment Understand the U.S. regulations in place to Understand the U.S. regulations in place to

ensure safe drinking waterensure safe drinking water Explain the quality characteristics of Explain the quality characteristics of

bottled vs. tap waterbottled vs. tap water Explain some of the health concerns Explain some of the health concerns

related to plastic containersrelated to plastic containers

BOTTLED WATER: THE EVER BOTTLED WATER: THE EVER GROWING MARKETGROWING MARKET

Health concerns such as decreasing Health concerns such as decreasing the consumption of sugar based drinksthe consumption of sugar based drinks

Concerns over the safety of municipal Concerns over the safety of municipal water supplywater supply

The United States leads the world in The United States leads the world in bottled water consumptionbottled water consumption

(Franklin, 2006)(Franklin, 2006)

BOTTLED WATER: THE EVER BOTTLED WATER: THE EVER GROWING MARKETGROWING MARKET

According to the Beverage Marketing According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, The United States leads the Corporation, The United States leads the world in bottled water consumptionworld in bottled water consumption

26 billion liters (2004)26 billion liters (2004) Globally, worldwide consumption Globally, worldwide consumption

increased 57% in five years, reaching 154 increased 57% in five years, reaching 154 billion liters in 2004billion liters in 2004

(Franklin, 2006)(Franklin, 2006)

BOTTLED WATER: THE EVER BOTTLED WATER: THE EVER GROWING MARKETGROWING MARKET

Nearly 31 billion bottles of water Nearly 31 billion bottles of water were purchased in 2006were purchased in 2006

In New York, nearly 2.5 billion bottles In New York, nearly 2.5 billion bottles of water a year are sold each yearof water a year are sold each year

This many bottles, stacked end to This many bottles, stacked end to end, would reach the moonend, would reach the moon

(New York State, n.d.)(New York State, n.d.)

BOTTLED WATER: THE EVER BOTTLED WATER: THE EVER GROWING MARKETGROWING MARKET

In California, this growing market In California, this growing market results in more than 1 billion water results in more than 1 billion water bottles ending up in the trash each yearbottles ending up in the trash each year

This means that approximately 3 This means that approximately 3 million empty bottles are being million empty bottles are being disposed of each daydisposed of each day

(State of California, 2003)(State of California, 2003)

BOTTLED WATER: BOTTLED WATER: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

The State of New York estimates making The State of New York estimates making the amount of plastic needed for bottled the amount of plastic needed for bottled water releases more than 800,000 water releases more than 800,000 metric tons of greenhouse gassesmetric tons of greenhouse gasses

This amount of oil is equal to 66 million This amount of oil is equal to 66 million gallons of gasolinegallons of gasoline

(New York State, n.d.)(New York State, n.d.)

BOTTLED WATER: BOTTLED WATER: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

A plastic water bottle takes up to A plastic water bottle takes up to 1,000 years to decompose in a 1,000 years to decompose in a landfilllandfill

In terms of manufacturing, it takes 3 In terms of manufacturing, it takes 3 liters of water to produce 1 liter of liters of water to produce 1 liter of bottled waterbottled water

(The Sierra Club, 2008).(The Sierra Club, 2008).

BOTTLED WATER VS. TAP BOTTLED WATER VS. TAP WATERWATER

Bottled water and tap water are Bottled water and tap water are regulated by two different agenciesregulated by two different agencies

The US Food and Drug Administration The US Food and Drug Administration considers bottled water to be a food considers bottled water to be a food and thus regulates this industryand thus regulates this industry

The US Environmental Protection The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates tap waterAgency (EPA) regulates tap water

BOTTLED WATER BOTTLED WATER REGULATIONSREGULATIONS

Regulations for bottled water are Regulations for bottled water are listed in Title 21 of the Code of listed in Title 21 of the Code of Federal RegulationsFederal Regulations 21 CFR Part 12921 CFR Part 129 21 CFR Section 165.11021 CFR Section 165.110

(FDA, 2002).(FDA, 2002).

BOTTLED WATER BOTTLED WATER REGULATIONSREGULATIONS

Some bottled water is not regulated Some bottled water is not regulated by the FDAby the FDA

Bottled water which does not cross-Bottled water which does not cross-state lines for sale or consumption state lines for sale or consumption does not fall under the regulations of does not fall under the regulations of the FDAthe FDA

TAP WATER REGULATIONSTAP WATER REGULATIONS The US EPA regulates the safety of tap water The US EPA regulates the safety of tap water

from municipal supplies as well as private from municipal supplies as well as private wells that serve more than 25 peoplewells that serve more than 25 people

The regulations for safe tap water stem from The regulations for safe tap water stem from The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) passed The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) passed by Congress in 1974by Congress in 1974

(EPA, 2006)(EPA, 2006)

TAP WATER REGULATIONSTAP WATER REGULATIONS These regulations have led to the These regulations have led to the

United States having one of the United States having one of the safest water supplies in the worldsafest water supplies in the world

(EPA, 2006)(EPA, 2006)

BOTTLED VS. TAPBOTTLED VS. TAP Bottled water is becoming increasingly Bottled water is becoming increasingly

popular for a variety of reasons, including:popular for a variety of reasons, including: Taste, color, odor from tap waterTaste, color, odor from tap water ConvenienceConvenience DietDiet Perceived health benefitsPerceived health benefits Influence from marketingInfluence from marketing

(EPA, 2006)(EPA, 2006)

BOTTLED VS. TAPBOTTLED VS. TAP There are potential risks to drinking bottled There are potential risks to drinking bottled

waterwater Bisphenol A or BPA is a manmade chemical Bisphenol A or BPA is a manmade chemical

that is used in the production of many that is used in the production of many plastic-containing consumer products, plastic-containing consumer products, including bottles used for bottled waterincluding bottles used for bottled water

Trace amounts of residual BPA are often Trace amounts of residual BPA are often present in the final product as a result of present in the final product as a result of the manufacturing process. the manufacturing process.

(Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2008)(Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2008)

BOTTLED VS. TAPBOTTLED VS. TAP Most single-use water bottles sold in the US Most single-use water bottles sold in the US

are made from BPA-free plasticare made from BPA-free plastic Some reusable containers are made from Some reusable containers are made from

plastic containing BP. Reusable containers are plastic containing BP. Reusable containers are often used for sport and outdoor activities often used for sport and outdoor activities such as camping and hiking, or for travelsuch as camping and hiking, or for travel

A product absent of BPA should be consideredA product absent of BPA should be considered

(Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2008)(Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2008)

BOTTLED VS. TAPBOTTLED VS. TAP People choose bottle or tap for a variety of People choose bottle or tap for a variety of

reasonsreasons Bottled water places a larger Bottled water places a larger

environmental impact on our society than environmental impact on our society than tap watertap water

The amount of energy needed to make The amount of energy needed to make one bottle of water is roughly equivalent one bottle of water is roughly equivalent to ¼ of that volume in oil (Sierra Club, to ¼ of that volume in oil (Sierra Club, 2008)2008)

BOTTLED VS. TAPBOTTLED VS. TAP Both bottled and tap water are safe, Both bottled and tap water are safe,

however, bottled water ends up however, bottled water ends up costing the consumer 500 to 4,000 costing the consumer 500 to 4,000 times more than tap water times more than tap water

(Sierra Club, 2008)(Sierra Club, 2008)

BOTTLED VS. TAPBOTTLED VS. TAP There is increasing concern the impact There is increasing concern the impact

bottled water has on environmental justicebottled water has on environmental justice Arguments are being raised that water is Arguments are being raised that water is

not a private commodity, instead it is a not a private commodity, instead it is a basic human rightbasic human right

Boycotts of beverage companies have Boycotts of beverage companies have been organized to protest corporate been organized to protest corporate access to municipal suppliesaccess to municipal supplies

(Sierra Club, 2008)(Sierra Club, 2008)

BOTTLED VS. TAPBOTTLED VS. TAP The decision to drink bottled vs tap is The decision to drink bottled vs tap is

personal personal There are a variety of factors to There are a variety of factors to

consider includingconsider including Personal taste and preferencePersonal taste and preference Environmental factorsEnvironmental factors Social and environmental justiceSocial and environmental justice

REFERENCESREFERENCESEnvironmental Protection Agency, (2006, November 28). Ground Environmental Protection Agency, (2006, November 28). Ground water and drinking water. Retrieved April 20, 2009 from water and drinking water. Retrieved April 20, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwh/who.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwh/who.html

Food and Drug Administration, (2002, October 28). Bottled water Food and Drug Administration, (2002, October 28). Bottled water regulation and the FDA. Retrieved regulation and the FDA. Retrieved April 11, 2009 from April 11, 2009 from http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/botwatr.htmlhttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/botwatr.html

Franklin, P. (2006). Down the drain: Plastic water bottles should no Franklin, P. (2006). Down the drain: Plastic water bottles should no longer be a wasted resource. longer be a wasted resource. Waste Management World, Waste Management World, May – June, May – June, 2006, 62-65.2006, 62-65.

REFERENCESREFERENCES

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, (2008, June 23). Q&A: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, (2008, June 23). Q&A: Bisphenol A and plastics. Retrieved April 17, 2009 from Bisphenol A and plastics. Retrieved April 17, 2009 from http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/articles/2008/goldman_schwab_bhttp://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/articles/2008/goldman_schwab_bpa.htmlpa.html

New York State, Department of Environmental Conservation. (n.d.). Too many New York State, Department of Environmental Conservation. (n.d.). Too many bottles – it’s a waste. Retrieved April 15, 2009 from bottles – it’s a waste. Retrieved April 15, 2009 from http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/waterbottles.pdfhttp://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/waterbottles.pdf

The Sierra Club, (2008, April). Bottled water: Learning the facts and taking action. The Sierra Club, (2008, April). Bottled water: Learning the facts and taking action. Retrieved April 1, 2009 from Retrieved April 1, 2009 from http://www.sierraclub.org/committees/cac/water/bottled_water/bottled_water.pdfhttp://www.sierraclub.org/committees/cac/water/bottled_water/bottled_water.pdf

State of California, Department of Conservation. (2003, May 29). Report: Surge in State of California, Department of Conservation. (2003, May 29). Report: Surge in bottled water popularity threatens environment. Retrieved April 10, 2008 from bottled water popularity threatens environment. Retrieved April 10, 2008 from http://www.consrv.ca.gov/index/news/2003%20News%20Releases/Pages/NR2003-http://www.consrv.ca.gov/index/news/2003%20News%20Releases/Pages/NR2003-13_Water_Bottle_Crisis.aspx13_Water_Bottle_Crisis.aspx