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Drinking water is one of the primary sources of microplastic exposure in humans. However, the extent to which microplastics in drinking water contribute to overall human health remains unclear. The aim of this work is to assess the characteristics of microplastic contamination in bottled and tap water, explore and explain the geographical distribution of the selected studies, evaluate the extent of human exposure to microplastics, and suggest areas for future research. Based on the latest literature from 2018 to 2023 (n = 66), we quantified the constituent profiles of microplastics in drinking water and explored their global distribution heterogeneity. The outcomes showed that microplastics in drinking water mainly comprised polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, and polypropylene. Notably, small-sized microplastic fractions (<300 μm) dominated all microplastics, often in the form of fragments and fibers. The average microplastic abundance in tap water was 62.38 particles/L, whereas in bottled water, it was 38.45 particles/L. The abundance of microplastics in drinking water varied globally from 0.0007 particles/L to 6,292 particles/L in Germany. Therefore, common consumers are estimated to ingest 175 particles/capita/day through drinking water. As expected, this review systematically provides scientific evidence for further high-quality research using standardized methods to increase the knowledge of microplastic exposure to humans through drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production and consumption of plastic bottled water have several negative environmental impacts worldwide. To identify the barriers and motivations for drinking tap and bottled water, we conducted a nationally representative questionnaire survey among 3411 respondents in the Czech Republic in 2022. People aged 18–34 are moderate consumers of bottled water and very frequent consumers of tap water. Bottled water consumption tends to be less frequent among people with a higher education, while tap water consumption is less frequent among people with lower incomes. The most important factors that explain the frequency of drinking bottled and tap water are taste perception, health concerns and habit. Health concerns about tap water and the unpleasant taste of tap water increase the consumption of bottled water. People with a strong habit of drinking tap water are less likely to consume bottled water. The constructs from the theory of planned behaviour were statistically significant. The results can guide decision-makers in promoting tap water to consumers. To encourage tap water drinking, we suggest measures to increase the availability of tap water in public places in conjunction with campaigns targeting the taste and health perception, as well as the habit, of drinking tap water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Coffee is part of our daily lives since it is a drink with a symbolic value, both in our social relationships and as a stimulating drink. The main objective of this paper is to conduct a risk characterization of fluoride overexposure from the consumption of these beverages; for this purpose, in the present study, the fluoride concentration was determined in 80 samples of different brands of coffee commonly consumed in the Canary Islands, and the risk derived from their intake was then evaluated. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the coffee brands soluble Nescafé Classic®, Saimaza®, Auchan®, Tirma® soft blend, and Hacendado® and the other analyzed brands. The brand that recorded the highest mean fluoride levels is "Hacendado descafeinado®" (0.308 mg/L). The problem with coffee is not the fluoride it contains but the fact that, according to the survey results, most coffee drinkers brew their coffee with tap water (over 51% of respondents use tap water). The results of the fluoride content in coffee prepared with tap water from the different areas of Tenerife in the Canary Islands (metropolitan, northern, and southern areas) have reported higher concentrations of fluoride: north (max. concentration found of 16.68 mg/L), south (max. concentration found of 8.47 mg/L) and metropolitan (max. concentration found of 4.73 mg/L). Coffee has not been identified as a risk of dietary overexposure to fluoride; however, the use of tap water for its brewing has been identified as a factor that considerably increases its concentration. Therefore, the use of bottled water is recommended, especially in regions such as the Canary Islands, which have high concentrations of fluoride in their water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bottled water (BW) is widely used and distributed in South Africa (SA), with limited assessment of its quality. Different brands are distributed and sold in formal (licensed i.e. supermarkets, restaurants, convenient shops) and informal (unlicensed i.e. street and food vendors, Spaza) shops with less accountability for their safety. Counterfeit BW of well-known brands was purported to be distributed in the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) which could have been exacerbated by drinking water contamination reported in the area. A total of 15% diarrhoea cases for children under the age of 5 was recorded. Although there were concerns of poor quality of BW in the community, no comprehensive study has assessed the microbiological quality of both bottled water and tap water (TW). The aim of the study is to determine the compliance of TW and BW to SANS 241 & 1657 standards for total coliform (TC) and E.coli. The Colilert method was used to assess TC, E.coli, and HPC. Observations were carried out using a checklist to observe how BW for sale was handled and stored. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. TW was free of TC and E. coli. In contrast, TC and E. coli were detected in BW. The HPC was found in 47 out of 84 samples (56%) of tap and 95 out of 117 samples (81%) of BW, respectively. TW was of a better quality to BW. Stringent measures on BW should be intensified to protect public health.

There is increasing concern for public health over inadvertent human exposure to MPs due to potential adverse health effects linked to MPs polymeric composition, toxic chemical additives, and/or harmful microorganisms adsorbing onto their surfaces. While numerous studies have reported MPs occurrence and risk in the freshwater aquatic environment and drinking water sources (e.g., rivers, lakes, and reservoirs), the current state-of-knowledge on MPs pollution in drinking water (i.e., tap water and bottled water) remains limited at a global level. This paper provides the first comprehensive study of the occurrence, concentrations, size distribution, shape, and polymer type of MPs in 177 tap water samples from 13 cities in the United Kingdom, as well as 85 samples of bottled water from 17 popular brands, with various packaging materials, on the UK market.MPs were detected in all tap water samples (range 6–100 MP/L) and bottled water samples (range 12–62 MP/L). Average MPs concentration in tap water (40 ± 16 MP/L) was statistically indistinguishable from that in bottled water (37 ± 11 MP/L). However, the average MPs particle size in tap water (32.4 μm) exceeded significantly (p

In this study, the concentrations of anions and potentially toxic elements in thirty-four drinking water samples consumed in the Nevşehir province located in the Cappadocia region were determined to assess their chemical quality for human consumption using an ion chromatography system and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. The average concentrations of Cl, F, NO3, and SO42 analysed in tap and bottled drinking water samples were found as 19,485, 521, 31,840 and 34,456 μg L−1 and 2290, 35, 2631 and 5242, μg L−1, respectively. The average concentrations of Pb, Cd, Co, Sr, Hg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn analysed in tap water samples were found as 5.2, 2.4, 2.4, 429.0, 1.7, 12.7, 94.7, 1.7, 1.3 and 199.5 μg L−1, respectively. The chemical analysis results obtained were compared with permissible maximum concentrations set by the national and international regulations. The Pb concentrations analysed in two tap water samples are above the maximum concentration of 10 µg L−1. The Hg concentrations analysed in 54% and 62% of tap and bottled drinking water samples are above the maximum concentration of 1 µg L−1, respectively. Also, average daily dose (ADD), health quotient (HQ), and cancer risk index (CRI) were estimated for adults to assess the health hazards caused by potentially toxic elements in drinking water samples. The HQ values estimated for selected potentially toxic elements are below the risk limit of 1 and there is no significant non–carcinogenic risk to the exposed adults. The average values of CRI estimated for As in three tap water samples and Cd in tap and bottled water samples exceeded the safe index range and these elements can pose a significant carcinogenic risk to the exposed adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most Mexicans do not trust the water provided by the public network to be healthy enough to drink. This has made Mexico a key consumer of bottled water worldwide. Besides the inadequate quality of water and health concerns, there are other studied reasons for promoting bottled water usage among Mexicans, such as debilitated regulatory frameworks and the power of multinational corporations. Therefore, an argument arises of how much the Mexicans' distrust of the public water network is based on the actual quality of water. This article contributes to this argument by analyzing national household survey data. The association between the two dominant types of drinking water (containers/bottles and public tap water) and mental health conditions (remembering difficulty, depression, and nervousness) are studied in Chihuahua and Nuevo León states, where the usage rates of the two water types are the closest (to minimize biased results). Our results illustrate different conditions for the states demonstrating that, considering mental health conditions, not trusting the quality of public network water in all Mexican regions may not be appropriate. Nevertheless, there might be rightful health concerns in some regions. The outcomes are helpful for authorities to prioritize policies to address water quality management/education actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bottled water is one of the most consumed healthy beverages in the world. At a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%, bottled water sales may surpass USD 500 billion by 2030. While this indicates how popular bottled water is among consumers, it does not underscore various ethical concerns raised against the product and its business concept. The purpose of the paper is to investigate the ethics of manufacturing and supplying bottled water. It uses a systematic review of the literature through the PRISMA method to determine the major ethical concerns surrounding these topics. A total of 107 articles were identified, and 31 were subjected to further reviews and analysis. The study found that the manufacturing and supply of bottled water may be unethical if it ends in deliberate pollution and artificial scarcity. Water is an essential product that should be made available and accessible freely to support lives. The use of bottled water has benefits because pollution is removed during processing, which prevents the spread of diseases. In addition, it is practical to transport and consume it. Water bottlers, however, seek to convert water into an exclusive product for profits. This draws attention to the ethics of justice, care, and professionalism which collectively protect consumers against corporate greed and exploitation. Water bottlers contribute to significant environmental pollution and have done little to recycle or reuse plastics to minimize the potential environmental damage. More than 80% of plastic bottles end up in waste and may be washed down into the oceans where they affect the marine ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to characterise the nutritional behaviour of Gdynia Maritime University students in terms of consuming various types of drinks as a water source. Moreover, the aim was to analyse the determinants of these behaviours in the context of selected socioeconomic parameters that differentiate the studied group of respondents. Design/methodology/approach: The tool used to conduct the study was a survey questionnaire. The questions concerned the nutritional behaviour of students regarding the consumption of beverages as a source of water and the conditions for their diversity. Findings: The main source of water for students was mineral water. Unfortunately, it is associated with environmental pollution related to the packaging of this water (PET bottle). The second important source of water was tap water. This should be considered a manifestation of a developing trend in health-promoting, ecological and economic behaviours among the students. None of the socioeconomic factors differentiated students' behaviours when choosing bottled water. Research limitations/implications: Students constitute a specific group of respondents. It should be expected that their current behaviours will reflect the behaviour of a wider society group, but only in the future. Therefore, the results obtained in this study can be considered limited, especially in the short term. Thus, this study should be conducted in a group of older respondents. Then, the following study should be repeated on older respondents in the distant future. On this basis, it is possible to verify how the change behaviours of respondents over time. The obtained results should allow us to verify the assumption that students' behaviours can be treated as indicators of the behaviours of the future society. Practical implications: Consumers' eating behaviour regarding water consumption has health and environmental consequences. This approach to analysing water consumption is strategic because it concerns the direct and indirect impact on human health and quality of life. Originality/value: The study results were used to formulate conclusions regarding behaviours that determine human health, the state of the environment and, consequently, quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reviewing public health, nutrition, and social science literature, this article examines how bottled water consumption and spending in the United States differ along lines of race, ethnicity, and income, how these consumption patterns have changed in recent years, and how those shifts map onto perceptions of the safety and trustworthiness of tap water supplies, both before and since the Flint water disaster. It also addresses the differential impact of bottled water spending on household income. The findings challenge the truism that bottled water consumption is positively correlated with income, instead showing a bimodal racial and class consumption pattern that reflects widely divergent perceptions—and the uneven distribution—of threats to tap water safety. Bottled water consumption and spending, as well as distrust of tap water, are highest among low-income, Black, and Latino/a households, exacerbating social inequality. The article also addresses how the bottled water industry is responding to these dynamics, and considers potential routes to restoring both public water infrastructure and trust in tap water supplies. This contribution links several current and salient topics: the relationship between bottled water's growth and tap water consumption; the dynamics of growing racial and income inequality; historical legacies of systemic racism and economic marginalization; and the uneven effects of disinvestment in US water infrastructure on tap water safety, access, and affordability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective: The goal of this study is to evaluate university students’ perceptions of tap water safety and water filter use and determine how these perceptions and behaviours affect water and sugar-sweetened beverage intake. Design: Cross-sectional; online survey conducted in Fall 2021. Setting: A large, public Midwestern university in the USA. Participants: Seven-hundred ninety-three university students. Results: Students who experienced food insecurity, were on a Pell grant, were first-generation college students or were racial/ethnic minorities were less likely to trust tap water safety. Tap water filtration behaviour also varied by age and race/ethnicity. Students who did not agree with the statement ‘my local tap water is safe to drink’ had lower odds of consuming ≥ 3 cups of total water per day (OR = 0·45, 95 % CI: 0·32, 0·62), lower odds of consuming tap water ≥ 3 times/d (OR = 0·46, 95 % CI: 0·34, 0·64), higher odds of drinking bottled water ≥ 1 time per day (OR = 1·80, 95 % CI: 1·22, 2·66) and higher odds of drinking SSB ≥ 1 time per day (OR = 1·47, 95 % CI: 1·01, 2·14) than those who agreed. Students who always or sometimes filtered their tap water had lower odds of consuming ≥ 3 cups of total water per day (OR = 0·59, 95 % CI: 0·39, 0·90) than students who never filtered their tap water. Conclusions: Tap water perceptions and behaviours affect tap and bottled water and SSB intake among university students. Tap water perceptions and behaviours in this demographic provide important context for university programming promoting healthy beverage initiatives.

Populations have changed their habits and consumption as a result of COVID-19. In the case of Mexico City, this situation has possibly led households to purchase more products such as bottled water and to consume the same amount or less tap water. This behavior was confirmed by analyzing tap water consumption data before and during the arrival of COVID-19 using Pearson chi-square, and by conducting a survey of bottled and tap water consumption and analyzing that data with a bivariate econometric model. It was found to be related to the perception of poor-quality service. Consequently, tap water consumption will not always increase when health emergencies such as COVID-19 occur, but rather, this will depend on other environmental variables. Therefore, public water policies should be aimed at offering and ensuring a continuous supply of good quality water, as well as providing clear and objective information to prevent this type of behavior HIGHLIGHTS The COVID-19 infection has saturated health systems throughout the world and led to a change in habits and consumption in the population.; This situation has also led families to purchase more alternative products that are on the market as a supply measure to cope with an uncertain scenario, as is the case of increased purchases of bottled water.; There is evidence of a relationship between not consuming tap water and a higher consumption of bottled water as a possible alternative to reduce the risk of COVID-19.; Public policy must be aimed at offering and ensuring a continuous supply of good quality water, especially for vulnerable sectors, to stop the spread of infection.;

Objective: The goal of this study is to evaluate university students' perceptions of tap water safety and water filter use and determine how these perceptions and behaviours affect water and sugar-sweetened beverage intake. Design: Cross-sectional; online survey conducted in Fall 2021. Setting: A large, public Midwestern university in the USA. Participants: Seven-hundred ninety-three university students. Results: Students who experienced food insecurity, were on a Pell grant, were first-generation college students or were racial/ethnic minorities were less likely to trust tap water safety. Tap water filtration behaviour also varied by age and race/ethnicity. Students who did not agree with the statement 'my local tap water is safe to drink' had lower odds of consuming ≥ 3 cups of total water per day (OR = 0·45, 95 % CI: 0·32, 0·62), lower odds of consuming tap water ≥ 3 times/d (OR = 0·46, 95 % CI: 0·34, 0·64), higher odds of drinking bottled water ≥ 1 time per day (OR = 1·80, 95 % CI: 1·22, 2·66) and higher odds of drinking SSB ≥ 1 time per day (OR = 1·47, 95 % CI: 1·01, 2·14) than those who agreed. Students who always or sometimes filtered their tap water had lower odds of consuming ≥ 3 cups of total water per day (OR = 0·59, 95 % CI: 0·39, 0·90) than students who never filtered their tap water. Conclusions: Tap water perceptions and behaviours affect tap and bottled water and SSB intake among university students. Tap water perceptions and behaviours in this demographic provide important context for university programming promoting healthy beverage initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to assess the awareness among water consumers in urban and rural areas. In Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Montenegro, 505 consumers were surveyed using a structured questionnaire and checklist regarding their awareness of water quality and safety issues. A total of 18.4% of the consumers were not aware of the adverse effects of antimicrobial residues in water, while 8.1% of them were buying antibiotics without a medical prescription. The awareness was significantly influenced (P

Anthropogenic microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are ubiquitous pollutants found in aquatic, food, soil and air environments. Recently, drinking water for human consumption has been considered a significant pathway for ingestion of such plastic pollutants. Most of the analytical methods developed for detection and identification of MPs have been established for particles with sizes > 10 µm, but new analytical approaches are required to identify NPs below 1 µm. This review aims to evaluate the most recent information on the release of MPs and NPs in water sources intended for human consumption, specifically tap water and commercial bottled water. The potential effects on human health of dermal exposure, inhalation, and ingestion of these particles were examined. Emerging technologies used to remove MPs and/or NPs from drinking water sources and their advantages and limitations were also assessed. The main findings showed that the MPs with sizes > 10 µm were completely removed from drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). The smallest NP identified using pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC/MS) had a diameter of 58 nm. Contamination with MPs/NPs can occur during the distribution of tap water to consumers, as well as when opening and closing screw caps of bottled water or when using recycled plastic or glass bottles for drinking water. In conclusion, this comprehensive study emphasizes the importance of a unified approach to detect MPs and NPs in drinking water, as well as raising the awareness of regulators, policymakers and the public about the impact of these pollutants, which pose a human health risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Examine differences in perceptions of tap water (TW) and bottled water (BW) safety and TW taste and their associations with plain water (PW) and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake. Design: Quantitative, cross-sectional study. Setting: United States. Subjects: 4,041 U.S. adults (≥18 years) in the 2018 SummerStyles survey data. Measures: Outcomes were intake of TW, BW, PW (tap and bottled water), and SSB. Exposures were perceptions of TW and BW safety and TW taste (disagree, neutral, or agree). Covariates included sociodemographics. Analysis: We used chi-square analysis to examine sociodemographic differences in perceptions and multivariable logistic regressions to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for consuming TW ≤ 1 cup/day, BW > 1 cup/day, PW ≤ 3 cups/day, and SSB ≥ 1 time/day by water perceptions. Results: One in 7 (15.1%) of adults did not think their home TW was safe to drink, 39.0% thought BW was safer than TW, and 25.9% did not think their local TW tasted good. Adults who did not think local TW was safe to drink had higher odds of drinking TW ≤ 1 cup/day (AOR = 3.12) and BW >1 cup/day (AOR = 2.69). Adults who thought BW was safer than TW had higher odds of drinking TW ≤ 1 cup/day (AOR = 2.38), BW > 1 cup/day (AOR = 5.80), and SSB ≥ 1 time/day (AOR = 1.39). Adults who did not think TW tasted good had higher odds of drinking TW ≤ 1 cup/day (AOR = 4.39) and BW > 1 cup/day (AOR = 2.91). Conclusions: Negative perceptions of TW safety and taste and a belief BW is safer than TW were common and associated with low TW intake. Perceiving BW is safer than TW increased the likelihood of daily SSB intake. These findings can guide programs and services to support water quality to improve perceptions of TW safety and taste, which might increase TW intake and decrease SSB intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary calcium intake is low in many countries, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Water is often overlooked as a source of dietary calcium despite it being universally consumed and providing good calcium bioavailability. Our objective was to assess water distribution systems in LMICs and to develop a formula to simulate the contribution of different water sources to calcium availability. We calculated the contribution of drinking water considering different calcium concentration levels to estimate total calcium availability. We consider a country's households' access to drinking water sources and the distribution of the country's population by age and gender. Calcium availability could be increased by an average of 49 mg of calcium per person per day in the 62 countries assessed if calcium in drinking water was considered. In 22 (31%) of the countries studied, 80% of households are supplied by water sources that could increase calcium availability. Improving calcium concentration in water could be considered as a strategy in LMICs to slightly improve calcium availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study is to investigate the variations in mineral content of tap drinking water across major Australian cities, compared with bottled still and sparkling water, and discuss the possible implications on kidney stone disease (KSD). Materials and Methods The mineral composition of public tap water from 10 metropolitan and regional Australian cities was compared using the drinking water quality reports published from 2019 to 2021 by the respective water service utilities providers. Specifically, average levels of calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and sulphates were compared with published mineral content data from bottled still and sparkling drinking water in Australia. Results The median or mean (depending on report output) mineral composition was highly variable for calcium (range 1.3 to 20.33 mg/L), magnesium (range 1.1 to 11.2 mg/L), bicarbonate (range 12 to 79 mg/L), sodium (range 3 to 47.1 mg/L), potassium (range 0.4 to 3.23 mg/L) and (sulphates range

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown that low-income Latinos generally drink bottled water over tap water and might be at increased risks for cavities from unfluoridated bottled water. In order to better design interventions, it is important to understand the risk perceptions of this unique high-risk yet historically marginalized group. Methods We interviewed low-income Latino households (n = 90) from Nogales, Arizona who primarily drink bottled water and asked them to evaluate potential health risks of drinking tap water compared to 16 other voluntary activities. Unpaired t-tests were used to determine if statistically significant (α = 0.05) differences occurred in perceived risk by drinking-water source and differences among demographic groups in their level of (dis)agreement with statements regarding tap or bottled water safety. To assess significant differences (α = 0.05) in perceived risks and voluntariness to engage in a number of activities, including drinking local tap water and drinking water in different geographic regions, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Scheffe’s post-hoc test (a conservative post-hoc test) with adjustment for the number of pairwise comparisons was used. Results Participants viewed bottled water to be significantly safer to consume than tap water (p

In this study, uranium concentrations were evaluated and the annual effective dose was calculated from the consumption of bottled water and tap water used for drinking in Babylon, middle Iraq. Uranium isotopes (238U, 234U, 235U) were determined for all samples collected using the phosphorylation analyzer technique represented device (KPA). Forty-four samples were collected to cover almost all districts and regions of Babylon. Thirty tap water samples were collected from residential neighborhoods, with 14 samples from local brand bottled water. The results show that the uranium concentrations in the tap water samples ranged from 1.66 μg.L-1 to 2.64 μg.L-1, with an average of 2.12 μg.L-1, and the bottled water samples varied from 1.06 μg.L-1 to 1.82 μg.L-1, with an average 1.47 μg.L-1 . This means that the uranium contents in tap and bottled water samples are less than 15 μg.L-1 and 30 μg.L-1, which are safe values of the WHO, and the EPA respectively. The annual effective dose values of 238U, 234U, and 235U for adult consumption of tap water range between 0.67, 0.0.33, 0.74 μSv.y-1 to 1.07, 0.052, 1.18 μSv.y-1 with averages of 0.86, 0.042, 0.95 μSv.y-1, respectively. Their values in bottled water ranged from 0.43, 0.020, 0.47 μSv.y-1 to 0.73, 0.035, 0.81 μSv.y-1, with an average of 0.59, 0.029, 0.65 μSv.y-1, respectively. The value of the annual effective dose of total uranium isotopes in tap water samples ranged between 1.45 μSv.y-1 to 2.30 μSv.y-1 with an average of 0.85 μSv.y-1, whereas in bottled water varied from 0.92 to 1.58 μSv.y-1 with an average of 1.28 μSv.y-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical, chemical and microbial quality of bottled water, tap water and water supplied from wells in the city of Shahroud was compared. The results of the analysis showed that the measured parameters, except in minor cases, were of national and international standards. There was no significant difference between the quality of bottled water and tap water, as well as bottled water and water available in water supply resources in the city of Shahroud. Regardless of the area in which the study was conducted, it was found that there was no need for developing other types of water treatment systems such as bottled water and domestic water treatment systems. In many cases, since bottled water is exposed to intense sunlight during the transport process, there could be a leakage of plastic monomers from the bottle wall into the water in hot or cold conditions, which can endanger consumer health. Tap water supplied from the water supply resources in the city of Shahroud was found to be completely safe and posed no threat to consumer health. HIGHLIGHTS The quality of three water groups in the city of Shahroud was compared.; Tap water supplied from the water supply resources in the city of Shahroud was found to be completely safe and posed no threat to consumer health.; There was no need for developing other types of water treatment systems such as bottled water and domestic water treatment systems for Shahroud water supply.;

The study objective was to identify correlates of tap water consumption among adolescents. French-speaking adolescents from the province of Québec (Canada) were recruited in person and online from March to July 2023 using diverse recruitment strategies. Water consumption was measured using the validated French version of a questionnaire specifically designed to measure adolescents' beverage intake. Participants answered an online survey on their attitude towards tap and bottled water which also measured individual and environmental factors that can influence tap water consumption. A total of 218 adolescents (14–17 years; 55.5% female) completed the survey. On average, 79.2% of adolescents' water intake came from tap and 33.5% of them consumed exclusively tap water. Thinking that bottled water is more convenient than tap water was a significant correlate of adolescents' tap water consumption (OR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.95; p = 0.0219). Adolescents who believed that bottled water is more convenient than tap water were less likely to consume exclusively tap water. Public health interventions aimed at promoting adolescents' tap water should strive to make tap water intake be perceived as convenient as bottled water, such as encouraging teenagers to always carry along a reusable water bottle, installing drinking fountains in popular public areas, and increasing the visibility of such fountains. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Do different degrees of cleanliness preference affect consumers' choice of daily drinking water at home? The purpose of the present paper is to test the validity of various hypotheses related to this question by analyzing the results of an online survey conducted in the Tokyo area. Cleanliness has an aspect of personal norm for normalcy of things. Preference of cleanliness can be divided into the following two types. One is orderly cleanliness and the other is aversive cleanliness. Orderly cleanliness is oriented toward the control of impure things, while aversive cleanliness is oriented toward retention of immaculacy. We demonstrate that each of these cleanliness preference is involved in the choice of drinking water in its own way. Our survey results suggest that orderly cleanliness encourages the choice of tap water filtered through water purifier, while aversive cleanliness urges the choice of bottled water. HIGHLIGHTS Orderly cleanliness urges the choice of tap water filtered through a water purifier.; Orderly cleanliness urges the choice of bottled water.; Aversive cleanliness inhibits the choice of untreated tap water.; Aversive cleanliness urges the choice of bottled water.;

Public water supply services in Yangon started in 1842, however the practice of drinking tap water has been uncommon until this moment. Currently, Yangon city development committee is upgrading the tap water system in accordance with the greater Yangon water supply improvement project. It is important to know the perceptual driving factors affecting the decision to drink in order to effectively improve the public acceptance of tap water. In this study, household water management practices and their influencing factors for Yangon city residents are revealed through questionnaires. Residence time in Yangon city is significantly associated with water consumption behaviour. Decisions for drinking come from organoleptic perception rather than important safety considerations. The future consumption of tap water is influenced by income and perception of overall quality. Preferred billing method is associated with education, family size, income and willingness to spend more for better quality water. HIGHLIGHTS Study conducted in a developing country with 178-year-old public tap water system.; Decision for consumption based on organoleptic perception rather than safety parameters.; Familiarity is important, regardless of quality.; Income and perception play important roles for future consumption.;

Drinking bottled water has become both popular and increasingly controversial. as a result of the use of these techniques, some of the necessary elements in water are exposed to remove it such as fluoride. For this reason, the present study aimed to determine the fluoride content in both Tap Water and some types of Bottled water (Commercial) in the Baninah area -Benghazi. Six different types of bottled water from the local market, and three sampling point of tap water (water network supply) were collected for analysis of pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and fluoride for all samples. The results revealed a decrease in total dissolved salts in some types of bottled water compared to the Libyan standard specifications for the quality of drinking water. While the Fluoride content in bottled water and tap water showed fluoride concentrations lower than 1.5 mg/l according to the WHO standards and Libyan standards for drinking water. This requires a medical study to know the other sources that compensate for the lack of fluoride in the water (tap water network supply - bottled water).

Objective: To quantify perceptions of tap water among low-income mothers with young children residing in Michigan and examine associations between perceptions of tap water, mothers' and young children's beverage intake, and mothers' infant feeding practices.Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: Online survey.Participants: Medicaid-insured individuals who had given birth at a large Midwestern US hospital between fall 2016 and fall 2020 were invited by email to complete a survey in winter 2020 (N 3881); 15·6 % (N 606) completed eligibility screening, 550 (90·8 %) were eligible to participate, and 500 (90·9 %) provided valid survey data regarding perceptions of tap water, self and child beverage intake, and infant feeding practices.Results: Two-thirds (66·2 %) of mothers reported that their home tap water was safe to drink without a filter, while 21·6 % were unsure about the safety of their home tap water. Mothers' perceptions of their home tap water were associated with their own tap and bottled water intake and their young children's tap water and bottled water intake. Mothers with more negative perceptions of tap water in general, independent of their perceptions about their home tap water, consumed more bottled water and sugar-sweetened beverages, and their young children drank bottled water and fruit drinks more frequently. Few associations were observed between mothers' perceptions of tap water and infant feeding practices.Conclusions: Uncertainty about tap water safety and negative perceptions of tap water are common among low-income Michigan mothers. These beliefs may contribute to less healthful and more costly beverage intake among mothers and their young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Diyala Journal of Medicine is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Previous studies have shown that low-income Latinos generally drink bottled water over tap water and might be at increased risks for cavities from unfluoridated bottled water. In order to better design interventions, it is important to understand the risk perceptions of this unique high-risk yet historically marginalized group.Methods: We interviewed low-income Latino households (n = 90) from Nogales, Arizona who primarily drink bottled water and asked them to evaluate potential health risks of drinking tap water compared to 16 other voluntary activities. Unpaired t-tests were used to determine if statistically significant (α = 0.05) differences occurred in perceived risk by drinking-water source and differences among demographic groups in their level of (dis)agreement with statements regarding tap or bottled water safety. To assess significant differences (α = 0.05) in perceived risks and voluntariness to engage in a number of activities, including drinking local tap water and drinking water in different geographic regions, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Scheffe's post-hoc test (a conservative post-hoc test) with adjustment for the number of pairwise comparisons was used.Results: Participants viewed bottled water to be significantly safer to consume than tap water (p < 0.001). On a Likert scale from 1 (low risk) to 5 (high risk), "drinking tap water in Nogales, Arizona" received an average score of 4.7, which was significantly higher than the average perceived risk of drinking San Francisco, California tap water (µ = 3.4, p < 0.001), and as risky as drinking and driving (µ = 4.8, p = 1.00) and drinking Nogales, Sonora, Mexico tap water (µ = 4.8, p = 1.00). Ninety-eight percent of participants feared that drinking local tap water could result in illness, 79% did not drink their water because of fear of microbial and chemical contamination and 73% would drink their water if they knew it was safe regardless of taste.Conclusions: These results suggest that fear of illness from tap-water consumption is an important contributing factor to increased bottled water use. Future efforts should focus on the development of educational and outreach efforts to assess the safety and risks associated with tap-water consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drinking water is one of the main contributors to overall human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a broad group of environmental contaminants with arising concerns on the impact on human health; therefore, it is necessary to monitor its quality. Here, we present a solid-phase extraction-based method to determine 22 PFAS in water, using 100 mL of the sample. The instrumental analysis employing an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry achieved low limits of quantification (0.025–0.25 ng/L). The validated method (recoveries 70–120% and repeatabilities ≤ 20% at tested concentrations (0.05, 0.1 and 0.5 ng/L)) was applied to 67 tap water and 31 bottled water samples collected in the Czech Republic. The most abundant compounds were perfluorononanoic acid (88% positives; 0.034–13.3 ng/L) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (23% positives; 0.035–0.106 ng/L), respectively. ∑PFAS in positive samples ranged from 0.029 to 300 ng/L (99% positives, median 2.34 ng/L) in tap water data and 0.033 to 4.48 ng/L (32% positives, median 0.097 ng/L) in bottled water samples. Current-use fluoroalkyl ethers, dodecafluoro-3H-4,8-dioxanonanoate and 11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonate, were occasionally detected in tap. Based on the median data, PFAS intake by an adult from a tap or bottled water represented units of % of the tolerable weekly intake set by the European Food Safety Authority and therefore did not represent a severe risk. The described method and obtained first data on PFAS in the Czech drinking water provided a solid basis for an ongoing national study on the presence of PFAS in tap water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing use of recycled water to irrigate agricultural products and decreasing consumption of bottled water are important components of sustainable water management practices and consumer‐driven efforts to improve water security and quality. However, consumers frequently discount agricultural products irrigated with recycled water relative to products irrigated with conventional water and place a premium on bottled water relative to tap water. This study measures consumer attitudes regarding recycled water and bottled water to understand more fully the reasons behind these preferences. We conduct two studies involving 2,616 adult consumers in the United States designed to measure consumer attitudes and preferences: the use of recycled water versus conventional water to irrigate food products and tap water versus bottled water for drinking. In each study, implicit attitudes are measured using an Implicit Association Test as well as explicit attitudes. We find that respondents have negative implicit attitudes regarding recycled water compared to conventional water and tap water compared to bottled water, and a negative explicit attitude toward recycled water. Tap water and food grown with recycled water were believed to be less healthy to consume and less tasty, although these are believed to be more sustainable options. Beliefs about water attributes (i.e., healthfulness, taste, and sustainability) are associated with attitudes, and both beliefs about attributes and attitudes are associated with preferences for products. Further, we find that respondents' stated preferences are consistent with their implicit and explicit attitudes. Key Points: Consumers have negative implicit and explicit attitudes toward food grown with recycled waterConsumers have negative implicit, but not explicit, attitude toward tap water compared to bottled waterTap water and food grown with recycled water are believed to be more sustainable options, but also less healthy and tasty [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine the doses of selected bioelements delivered to the body as a result of consuming water from various types of intakes (surface water from the river, water from infiltration wells, treated water directed to the water supply system) and additionally as a result of using bottled water. The present study analysed the content of 33 elements in water, grouped into microelements, ultratrace elements and other elements found in the aquatic environment. The majority of those elements are essential to proper human development and functioning. They can enter the human body together with water: (a) ingested directly, (b) present in food, (c) inhaled or (d) absorbed through skin. The results obtained were compared with the chemical composition of 29 types of bottled water (mineral and spring water) available in the retail market. Reference doses for each of the parameters were calculated in accordance with the US EPA guidelines and compared with the doses recommended in other research studies. Two water treatment plants (WTPs and WTPss) located in southern Poland were selected as research facilities. Water treatment plants treat surface water from rivers and groundwater from infiltration wells using sand filters. It was found that the average mineralisation of water supplied in the water distribution system ranges from 0.15 to 0.2 mg dm-3, which indicates that it has characteristics of natural low-mineral spring water. It provides 0.0001%-0.0003% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) for Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, and Sn for children and for adults. The novelty of the article is the determination of the doses of microelements in bottled water. Bottled mineral water provides considerably higher doses of microelements than the values stemming from the RDI. The delivered doses of carcinogenic and potentially carcinogenic elements are of particular importance. In the case of Al, Cr, and Ni, the total recommended dose was exceeded 1 to 2 times for children and 1.5-7 times for adults. It was demonstrated that consumers should be careful about drinking water with an elevated content of microelements that are characterized by a very small, yet critical difference between the reference dose and the recommended dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In the United States, problems with the provision of safe, affordable water have resulted in an increasing number of adults who avoid their tap water, which could indicate underlying water insecurity. Dietary recalls provide critical nutritional surveillance data, yet have been underexplored as a water insecurity monitoring tool. Objectives This article aims to demonstrate how water intake variables from dietary recall data relate to and predict a key water insecurity proxy, that is, tap water avoidance. Methods Using 2005–2018 NHANES data from 32,329 adults, I examine distributions and trends of mean intakes of total, plain (sum of tap and bottled water), tap, and bottled water, and percentage consuming no tap and exclusive bottled water. Second, I use multiple linear and logistic regressions to test how tap water avoidance relates to plain water intake and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. Next, I use receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves to test the predictive accuracy of no plain water, no tap, and exclusive bottled water intake, and varying percentages of plain water consumed from tap water compared with tap water avoidance. Results Trends indicate increasing plain water intake between 2005 and 2018, driven by increasing bottled water intake. In 2017–18, 51.4% of adults did not drink tap water on a given day, whereas 35.8% exclusively consumed bottled water. Adults who avoided their tap water consumed less tap and plain water, and significantly more bottled water and SSBs on a given day. No tap intake and categories of tap water intake produced 77% and 78% areas under the ROC curve in predicting tap water avoidance. Conclusions This study demonstrates that water intake variables from dietary recalls can be used to accurately predict tap water avoidance and provide a window into water insecurity. Growing reliance on bottled water could indicate increasing concerns about tap water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tap water quality in Wroclaw, Poland was tracked by a two-year monitoring. Samples were taken in 175 points and subjected to multi-elemental analysis. Randomly selected samples underwent microbiological purity assessment. The composition was also compared with bottled waters available on the market. The determined concentrations of macro- micro- and toxic elements plus microbiological purity allowed for the evaluation of tap water quality. We compared our results to WHO, EPA and Polish standards, showed individual exceedances of acceptable limits and demonstrated the microbiological purity of water in Petri-dish tests. The comparison of the composition of tap water with eight types of bottled mineral and spring water showed similar or slightly higher concentrations of macro- and microelements in the former. The impact of home filters on water quality was also examined. On this basis, it was concluded that tap water in Wroclaw, Poland, can be recommended for direct consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: As tap water distrust has grown in the USA with greater levels among Black and Hispanic households, we aimed to examine recent trends in not drinking tap water including the period covering the US Flint Water Crisis and racial/ethnic disparities in these trends.Design: Cross-sectional analysis. We used log-binomial regressions and marginal predicted probabilities to examine US nationally representative trends in tap and bottled water consumption overall and by race/ethnicity.Setting: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, 2011-2018.Participants: Nationally representative sample of 9439 children aged 2-19 years and 17 268 adults.Results: Among US children and adults, respectively, in 2017-2018 there was a 63 % (adjusted prevalence ratio (PR): 1·63, 95 % CI (1·25, 2·12), P < 0·001)) and 40 % (PR: 1·40, 95 % CI (1·16, 1·69), P = 0·001)) higher prevalence of not drinking tap water compared to 2013-2014 (pre-Flint Water Crisis). For Black children and adults, the probability of not drinking tap water increased significantly from 18·1 % (95 % CI (13·4, 22·8)) and 24·6 % (95 % CI (20·7, 28·4)) in 2013-2014 to 29·3 % (95 % CI (23·5, 35·1)) and 34·5 % (95 % CI (29·4, 39·6)) in 2017-2018. Among Hispanic children and adults, not drinking tap water increased significantly from 24·5 % (95 % CI (19·4, 29·6)) and 27·1 % (95 % CI (23·0, 31·2)) in 2013-2014 to 39·7 % (95 % CI (32·7, 46·8)) and 38·1 % (95 % CI (33·0, 43·1)) in 2017-2018. No significant increases were observed among Asian or White persons between 2013-2014 and 2017-2018. Similar trends were found in bottled water consumption.Conclusions: This study found persistent disparities in the tap water consumption gap from 2011 to 2018. Black and Hispanics' probability of not drinking tap water increased following the Flint Water Crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of ESTUDAM Public Health Journal is the property of ESTUDAM Public Health Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Microplastics in drinking water captured widespread attention following reports of widespread detection around the world. Concerns have been raised about the potential adverse effects of microplastics in drinking water on human health. Given the widespread interest in this research topic, there is an urgent need to compile existing data and assess current knowledge. This paper provides a systematic review of studies on microplastics in drinking water, their evidence, key findings, knowledge gaps, and research needs. The data collected show that microplastics are widespread in drinking water, with large variations in reported concentrations. Standardized methodologies of sampling and analysis are urgently needed. There were more fibrous and fragmented microplastics, with the majority being <10 μm in size and composed of polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. Little attention has been paid to the color of microplastics. More research is needed to understand the occurrence and transfer of microplastics throughout the water supply chain and the treatment efficiency of drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). Methods capable of analyzing microplastics <10 μm and nanoplastics are urgently needed. Potential ecological assessment models for microplastics currently in use need to be improved to take into account the complexity and specificity of microplastics. [Display omitted] • A review of recent advances made on microplastics in drinking water is presented. • Methodology of characterizing microplastics in drinking water was evaluated. • Sources and transport of microplastics in drinking water were clarified. • Model of Potential risks assessment of microplastics was discussed. • Research gaps and priorities for future work were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Chemistry & Biotechnology is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Water is the basic component of the human body at all development stages. The water requirement per body weight is four times higher in infants compared to adults. The only source of water in the first months of life is human milk and/or formula. The main factors determining the choice of water for infants and children are: the total amount, type and content of dissolved minerals (mainly sodium, sulphates, nitrates and nitrites), concentration of minerals and good manufacturing practice as well as implemented and evaluated safety systems for food quality. In the case of infants and children younger than 3 years of age, spring water or low-mineralised natural water is recommended, while moderately mineralised water is allowed in children older than 1 year of age. Water cannot have any, even potential, negative effects on the child’s organism. The main health-related threat associated with water consumption (also water used for formula preparation) is microbiological, agricultural or industrial water contamination. This review presents the most important information about tap and bottled water used to feed infants and toddlers. Studies on well water have also been discussed, raising questions about the legitimacy and safety of its consumption by infants. The review presents a management scheme for water used for the preparation of infant formula as well as potential health-related risks of consuming overmineralised drinking water, water with chemical contamination or water distributed in plastic containers.

Bottled water is perceived by many people of Pakistan and other countries as well a safer alternative to other sources of water such as tap water. This may be attributed to consumers disliking the taste of tap water or it’s organoleptic. Bottled water usage has increased even in countries where clean tap water is present such as in Germany, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia etc. The objective of present study was to compare the drinkable bottled water quality between different countries along with ZamZam water. Eleven different brands of bottled water including one un- bottled water (zamzam) collected from Pakistan, U.A.E, Kuwait, Germany and Saudi Arabia. They were analyzed for physiochemical and microbiological parameters for estimation of quality of water. For physio-chemical analysis, the pH meter, EC meter, Flame photometer and UV-Spectrophotometer were used respectively. For bacteriological parameters like Total Coliforms, Fecal Coliform and E. coli, filtration technique is adopted. In this study, comparison of mineral contents with labeled values mentioned on different brands of the countries like Rawdatain(Kuwait), AlAin(UAE), and Masafi (UAE) which have difference in actual measured values and labelled but all within WHO and IBWA standards. Bottle water companies claim, the water from different sources such as spring, deep ground and natural water but no doubt it may be taken from different natural sources and they are saying it a mineral water when it was not pass through any treatment processes. These bottles water are actually processed/treated water which does not contain sufficient amount of minerals necessary for the health.

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Public Health is the property of Turkish Journal of Public Health and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Despite evidence that tap water is often safer and cheaper than alternative sources, tap water is avoided when perceived to be unsafe. Therefore, we conducted the first nationally representative U.S. trends analysis of in‐home tap water avoidance between 2007 and 2016. We tested whether changes occurred during/after the Flint water crisis, and whether not drinking tap from one's main water source differed by age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status across time. Finally, we tested whether tap water avoidance was associated with higher prevalence of bottled water consumption among children. We used data on 12,915 children and 23,139 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Significant covariate‐adjusted quadratic time trends were found in the prevalence of avoiding tap water with an inflection at 2013–2014 for children, but not adults. Piecewise log‐binomial regressions estimated that between 2007 and 2014 each survey cycle was associated with 14% lower prevalence of not drinking tap water (prevalence ratio [PR] 0.86, 95% CI: 0.80–0.93), but in 2014–2016 a 53% (95% CI: 1.12–2.09) higher prevalence was found for children corresponding to the water crisis. Younger children, Hispanic, non‐Hispanic black, and those from low socioeconomic status backgrounds had consistently higher probability of avoiding tap water over time. Children who avoided tap water had 92% higher prevalence of drinking bottled water. In 2015–2016, 78% of non‐Hispanic black children who avoided tap water drank bottled water on a given day. Avoiding tap water may indicate underlying water insecurity in the United States. Efforts to address tap water distrust have critical health and economic implications. Key Points: In‐home tap water avoidance was decreasing among U.S. children from 2007–2014, until the Flint water crisis, when tap avoidance increasedMinority and low socioeconomic status children and adults consistently reported not drinking tap water at higher rates over timeChildren who avoided tap water were more likely to drink bottled water; not drinking tap water may capture aspects of U.S. water insecurity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In several European countries and at the level of the European Union, we can observe political and societal attempts to promote the use of tap water. Most prominently, the European Commission proposed revisions for the Drinking Water Directive, which includes strategies for promoting the consumption of tap water. The strategies comprise the following: improving access to tap water, upgrading quality standards for tap water, and enhancing transparency concerning the benefits of tap water. National initiatives in European countries pursue similar strategies that concentrate on enhancing access to tap water and communicating its economic, environmental, and social benefits. By drawing on existent literature in different disciplines, we assess how promising these strategies are for inducing individuals to drink tap water rather than bottled water. Our overview reveals that our knowledge regarding the quality dimension is very good: numerous studies on European countries have shown that dissatisfaction with the sensory properties and health‐related concerns prevent individuals from drinking (more) tap water and opting for bottled water instead. The body of research with a specific focus on Europe is significantly smaller concerning the other two dimensions: access to tap water and the benefits of tap water. Nonetheless, there is indicative and preliminary evidence that improved access to tap water and a better communication of the benefits of tap water could positively affect consumption patterns. This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of WaterHuman Water > Water GovernanceHuman Water > Water as Imagined and Represented [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]