The report was compiled during the April-June 2014 quarter using 111 samples of bottled water brands collected from 14 cities including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Faisalabad.
A comparison of the analytical findings with Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) permissible limits has revealed that 19 brands were found to be unsafe due to chemical or microbiological contamination.
A more alarming finding of the report is that 13 of these 19 unsafe brands contained levels of arsenic far higher than PSQCA standards.
The remaining brands were found unsafe due to the presence of a high level of sodium and total dissolved solids (TDS).
Nation, Splish Aryana, Pure Fresh Water, New Deep, Fit, Alfa Blue, Sehat, Unique Water, Butt, Active, Aqua National, Natur Aqua and Cool were all found to have high levels of arsenic, a chemical that causes skin diseases, diabetes, kidney diseases, hypertension, heart diseases birth defects, black foot diseases and multiple types of cancers.
Another five brands — Pure 99, Al Habib, Life, Spring Fresh and Lite Aqua — were been found to be unsafe due to microbiological contamination which can cause cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis and typhoid.
PCRWR Library, Documentation and Information Centre Director Lubna Naheed Bukhari stated that the report has been sent to the PSQCA Director General for further action against the unsafe brands’ manufacturers.
She said that no remedial measures were being taken by the culprits.
“They do not even bother to change their installations or venue and continue such practices unabated,” she remarked.
Bukhari suggested that the manufacturers should consult PCRWR to help them remove dangerous contaminants as the council provides such facilities.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2014.
COMMENTS (13)
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We request immediate ban on these companies and further periodic tests to be undertaken for rest of companies for quality assurance and quality control.
@Ahsan: Came down looking for this comment.
"Butt" Water? LOL!
actually, only big brands benefit from findings like this.. isn't it someone's responsibility to point out what percentage of all the big city residents have access to hepatitis infested water. no.. noone cares about that...
Does that mean all big brands that we come across usually are safe for consumption? Nestle', Aqua Fina etc?
Being a media rep. its your responsibility to disclose names of these brands as well.
ooops didnt read the part where names were given, my bad.
and how will the consumers know which brands were talked about. talk abt keeping your advertisers happy ET.
So there's actually a 'Butt Water' out there?
The problem is how do you ascertain if the bottles are of the brand or counterfeit
How about banning these brands for good. Government has a responsibility here.