Bottled water sales are soaring, largely lifted by beliefs that it is fresher and better for us. But new research reported in Medical News Today has uncovered an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDCs) in commercialized bottled water.
The study, published in the Public Library of Science journal PLOS ONE, found that the majority of bottled waters analyzed contained EDCs, which could disrupt hormonal systems and may interfere with reproductive systems.
The research team, funded by the German Federal Environment Agency, conducted a review of data from previous studies, as well as a review of 18 bottled water products to see if there was evidence of compounds that block estrogen activity (antiestrogenic), as well as activity that would prevent any biological effects (antiandrogenic).
Results of the sample analysis showed that 13 bottles of water demonstrated antiestrogenic activity, while 16 of the bottles showed antiandrogenic activity.
EDCs are man-made compounds that are commonly used in many plastics. Past studies have shown prenatal exposure to EDCs may raise the risk of breast cancer. One EDC called Bisphenol A (BPA) was found to be present in the plastic used to make baby bottles.