Consumer Reports tested 47 bottled water brands (35 noncarbonated and 12 carbonated) for heavy metals and toxic PFAS ("forever chemicals"). Here's what they found:

Key Findings

PFAS Levels in Bottled Water
- PFAS chemicals, linked to health risks, were detected in many bottled water brands.
- While most brands met current guidelines, several exceeded stricter recommended limits:
- Tourmaline Spring & Deer Park: PFAS > 1 ppt in noncarbonated water.
- Topo Chico: Highest PFAS levels in carbonated water.

Heavy Metals
- Most bottled waters had low levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.
- Starkey Spring Water (Whole Foods): Arsenic levels just below the federal limit (10 ppb) but over Experts' recommended maximum of 3 ppb.

Carbonated Water Concerns
- Many carbonated waters had PFAS levels exceeding 1 ppt.
- Possible causes: carbonation process or insufficient PFAS filtration during treatment.

Company Responses

• Tourmaline Spring: Claims compliance with current standards.
• Deer Park (Nestlé): Reported undetectable PFAS in recent tests.
• Topo Chico (Coca-Cola): Acknowledged issues and plans improvements.
• LaCroix & Polar: Questioned CR's PFAS methodology.

Advocacy for Stricter Regulations

• Current federal PFAS guidelines are voluntary (70 ppt for two compounds combined).
• Experts call for stricter limits, such as 1 ppt total PFAS.
• Consumer Reports emphasizes that safer PFAS levels are achievable.

Take Action

• Push for Stricter PFAS Limits.
• Read Labels: Check for compliance with stricter PFAS and heavy metal thresholds.