The bottle is transparent. The water is crystal clear. PFAS are invisible. This triad of seemingly unrelated things sums up the results of a study that is shaking up the mineral water industry. Scientists found “eternal chemicals” in 99% of the samples analyzed. And no, it's not a measurement error.
The scope of the PFAS investigation
The study published in the journal ACS ES&T Water (I link it here) analyzed samples from 87 bottled water brands from 15 different countries. Not only that, the researchers also examined 55 tap water samples from the UK and China. A significant sample that allows us to draw a precise picture of the situation.
The most alarming fact? The presence of PFAS was found to be even higher in waters that are advertised as “natural”. A discovery that calls into question decades of marketing and communication based on the concept of purity. The contamination was so widespread that it raised serious questions about the entire bottled water production chain.
The health consequences of PFAS
I PFAS, an acronym that indicates the perfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemical compounds used in numerous industrial sectors for their water-repellent and stain-resistant properties. The problem? Once released into the environment, they practically never degrade.
Long-term exposure to these substances has been associated with several health problems. Studies have highlighted possible correlations with immune system disorders, hormonal alterations and, in some cases, even with the development of tumors. Be careful: these are not immediate effects. It is the accumulation over time that produces damage, something perhaps even more subtle.
Solutions under development
Scientific research “clashes” against a giant: the business of bottled mineral water (almost entirely made of plastic, with all that that entails) is huge. In Italy alone, the total turnover of packaged waters reached 3,3 billion euros in 2023. Although a little awareness is starting to dawn on the public, per capita consumption of packaged water has dropped from 248 to 245 liters per year. Still too little, if these are the effects.
Researchers aren't sitting idly by, however. In recent years, several methods have been developed to remove PFAS from water and, in some cases, to completely break them down. These are just Band-Aids on a much deeper wound, researchers stress. The real problem is upstream: it is necessary to limit or eliminate the use of these substances in industrial processes. The technology to do this exists, but it requires significant investment and, above all, strong political will. Which apparently (remember: votes and money) doesn't exist.
The Future of Bottled Water
This research is already fueling new debates on the regulation of the sector. Health authorities in several countries are considering the introduction of more stringent limits for the presence of PFAS in mineral water. But the real challenge will be to find a balance between the need to guarantee safe and accessible water for all and the economic sustainability of companies in the sector. I repeat: the bottled water industry generates billions of euros in revenue every year. The global one has reached a value of approximately 318,31 billions of dollars. The time for choices, however, has come. And this time we cannot afford to make mistakes.
Concrete actions to be taken
In the meantime, what can we do? Experts suggest learning about home filtration systems certified to remove PFAS. Some are already available on the market and, although they represent an initial investment, could prove to be a viable solution. But the real response must be systemic. We need stricter regulations, more frequent checks and, above all, greater transparency from manufacturing companies.
The presence of PFAS in bottled water is an alarm bell that we cannot ignore. It is not a question of generating panic, but of becoming aware of a real problem that requires concrete and immediate solutions.