Bottled water

NAME: Maria Alejandra Lucero Zambrano                        May 8th, 2015

IS BOTTLED WATER DETRIMENTAL TO THE HUMAN BEING?

A person drinks about fifteen litters of bottled water per year. That means people spend lots of money buying it but they do not know the damage that it brings to humanity. The constant consumption of bottled water has brought serious complications both for the environment and for our health.

There are three issues that are directly affecting the environment. First of all, the making of plastic bottles produces carbon dioxide. In the book ‘How bad are bananas?’ the author Bill Bryson mentions that for each kilogram of plastic made, 3.5 kilograms of CO2 are released to the atmosphere. This gas produced is the main cause of global warming. The second problem is the time that plastic bottles take to degrade; it is from one hundred to one thousand years. Also, the amount of rubbish is destroying the habitat of some animals. Plastic and other accumulated garbage affects oceans and beaches all over the world.

On the other hand, bottled water has some harmful organisms such as bacteria, parasites, viruses and chemicals. According to a study carried out by German researchers, about 25.000 chemicals were found in a single bottle of water. Those chemicals are the cause of some illnesses. For example, a chemical found is fluoride. It causes: the weak of immune system, dental fluorosis and it can accelerate aging due to cellular damage.  People most affected are small children, women of child-bearing age, and pregnant women. They have more risks when they are exposed to these chemicals. Reactions can include stunted growth, early puberty, premature birth, infertility and early menopause.

Despite being harmful, bottled water has advantages. One is that companies offer a wide variety of bottled products. Flavors such as berry, coco, lemon, mint and so on. Furthermore, there are many options to choose when you buy a bottle of water. Consumers can find sparkling and spring water. They are free to choose their favorite one.

Avoid the exaggerated drinking of this kind of water because it has some disadvantages. Despite of the diversity of bottled products that companies are promoting now, people must not pass up the harm that they are doing. Have you ever thought about the future that the consumption of bottled water will bring to people? and if it is worth only due to the pleasure of drinking it?

...