The Controversy Of Banning Bottled Water

Bottled water, it seems such an unlikely culprit for such massive deterioration. Bottled water, as simple and convenient as it is, is the beginning of a large controversy. Behind it is not only a story of pollution, but also a story of the damage from the production. “... many had an incomplete understanding of the total environmental impact of bottled water production” (Saylor, et al. 599). The environment is being destroyed by the plastic and the wastes of oil. Not only is the environment being destroyed, water is being wasted alongside massive amounts of oil. Banning bottled water is a rather controversial argument, yet it is one that is not talked about enough. Bottled water is leading to a collapse of our environment and it’s time to take
One of the biggest concerns is the loss of jobs of those that produce and ship bottled water. According to bottledwater.org, the production of bottled water “directly or indirectly employed approximately 471,700 Americans in 2013”. By getting rid of the bottled water industry, it’s getting rid of a large mass of jobs. Furthermore many have concerns about the safety of tap water. Often times people will describe their tap water as smelling strange, tasting strange, or tasting strange. In a risk perception study done at Purdue University, “Many interviewees considered health risks from sources of water when choosing what to drink” (Saylor, et al. 598). Many were concerned about the potential risks of bacteria, “I always think about the bacteria that can be floating in it…” (Saylor, et al.
This would help the workers find another job instead of leaving them to fend. These workers, if willing, could help work to provide disaster relief and to assist around the world. Furthermore, they can help clean up the damage that has been done by bottled water. Furthermore the perception of bottled water being safer than tap water, although it seems logical, is actually false. The bottles themselves contain chemicals such as polyethylene terephthalate that overtime can seep into the water, causing a heap of health issues. “In 1999, after a four-year review of the bottled-water industry and its safety standards, NRDC concluded that there is no assurance that bottled water is cleaner or safer than tap” (Postman). The water itself causes less of a worry, both have strict regulations under the FDA and the EPA. Rather it is the bottle themselves that hold the major health issue. Tap water is stigmatized as being unsafe when in reality it is just as safe as bottled water is. To further help ease the minds of those hesitant to tap water, one can buy a filter for their tap water at little cost and it’s easy to