A recent Consumer Reports test of 45 brands of bottled water (including 12 sparkling waters) found “PFAS” chemicals in several of them.

Consumer Reports found the most PFAS in Topo Chico. 

They found the most levels of PFA in Topo Chico. There was also over the 1 ppt recommended limit in other popular sparkling waters, like Polar, Bubly, Poland Spring, Canada Dry, LaCroix, and Perrier. To ensure reliable results, they independently tested 2-4 unopened samples of each variety, which were blind-coded to preserve their identities.

Here are the worst offenders:

• Topo Chico (now owned by Coca-Cola) (9.76 ppt)
• Polar Natural Seltzer Water (6.41 ppt)
• Bubly Blackberry Sparkling Water (2.24 ppt)
• Poland Spring Zesty Lime Sparkling Water (1.66 ppt)
• Canada Dry Lemon Lime Sparkling Seltzer Water (1.24 ppt)
• LaCroix Natural Sparkling Water (1.16 ppt)
• Perrier Natural Sparkling Mineral Water (1.1 ppt)

What are PFAS chemicals contaminating our water and how do they harm our health?

PFAS stands for a group of over 5,000 toxic fluorinated chemicals that have been used in manufacturing by big corporations (and by governments) for decades. They contaminate our environment and drinking water.

Exposure to PFAS are linked to all kinds of tragic health issues:

• Suppressed Immune System
• Testicular Cancer
• Liver Tumors
• Thyroid Hormone Disruption
• Delayed Mammary Gland Development 
• Decreased Vaccine Antibody Response 
• Increased Cholesterol Levels
• Atopic Dermatitis

PFAS chemicals stick around forever…

For decades, DuPont chemical company used “PFOA” (perfluorooctanoic acid) to make non-stick Teflon and 3M used “PFOS” (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) to make Scotchgard and firefighting foam. These chemicals escaped from their factories, poisoning our drinking water. Even though companies no longer use these two substances, we are still paying the price.

PFAS substances are persistent – and don’t just disappear. They stick around in our environment and in our bodies when we consume them. That is why they are called “Forever Chemicals”.

You’ll now find PFAS in virtually all major water supplies in the U.S., but some areas are worse than others.

PFAS chemicals are found in all kinds of products – like nonstick pans, food packaging, cleaning products, carpets, clothing, and more. 

Instead of creating strict limits, the EPA issued “voluntary” guidance that allows 70ppt (parts per trillion) of two of the most dangerous PFAS chemicals (PFOS and PFOA) in drinking water. 

This is WAY TOO MUCH according to many natural health experts. The consumer advocacy group, Environmental Working Group, says the limit should be 1ppt.

And, other advocacy groups like the NRDC say that 1ppt is even too high! 

Most of the non-carbonated bottled waters they tested had low levels of PFAS, except for two:

• Tourmaline Spring Sacred Living Water (4.64 ppt.)
• Deer Park Natural Spring Water (1.21 ppt)

What about heavy metals in bottled water?

Consumer Reports only found heavy metals in one brand of water: Starkey Spring Water, which is owned by Whole Foods. It contained arsenic (a known carcinogen) at nearly 10 ppb, which is 3 times what Consumer Reports advises as safe: 3 ppb.

James Dickerson, Ph.D., chief scientific officer at Consumer Reports says a single bottle won’t harm you, “But regular consumption of even small amounts of the heavy metal over extended periods increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and lower IQ scores in children, and poses other health issues as well.”

The least contaminated brands…

The sparkling waters with the least amount of PFAS detected included San Pellegrino Natural Sparkling Mineral Water (0.31) and Spindrift Raspberry Lime Sparkling Water (0.19 ppt).

Mountain Valley Spring Water (in the green glass bottles) wasn’t tested by Consumer Reports. However, the water quality report on their website shows it is tested for Arsenic, PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS substances, and none were detected in their water.