Is Bottled Water Safe for Drinking?

Study claims that at least 19 companies in Pakistan are selling unsafe bottled water.

KARACHI: A recent report by the Ministry of Science and Technology has claimed that at least 19 companies are selling bottled water unfit for human consumption. As much as 45% of the Pakistan Population is now known to drink bottled water thinking that it is safe and hygienic. 

The report has further revealed the presence of potassium, fluoride and sodium beyond a certain limit, which could cause lung cancer, hyperkalaemia and other ailments. Thirteen brands (Nation; Splish Aryana; Pure Fresh Water; New Deep; Fit; Alfa Blue; Sehat; Unique Water; Butt; Active; Aqua National; Nature Aqua; and Cool and Clean) had arsenic and excessive amounts of sodium, researchers learned. Those chemicals could cause hypertension, heart disease, birth defects and other life-threatening illnesses.

The study also revealed five brands (Pure 99, Al Habib, Spring Fresh, Life and Lite Aqua) had bacterial contamination, which threatens consumers with cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis and typhoid, the study also revealed.  One brand, Lite Aqua, was contaminated chemically and bacterially.

Consumers are being advised to choose their drinking water carefully, and to always boil the water before consumption.