Swedish water purification innovator Bluewater is advocating for an immediate ban on single-use plastic bottles following alarming findings from a global research study. This study revealed the presence of toxic PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) chemicals in nearly all samples of bottled drinking water tested, prompting the company to call for urgent action against what it terms a “global crisis.”
The research, conducted by teams at the University of Birmingham in the UK and Southern University of Science and Technology in China, found PFAS chemicals in tap water across major cities in both countries. Even more concerning, specific types of PFAS, including Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), were detected in over 99% of bottled water samples from 15 countries, including the UK, France, Norway, Finland, China, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand.
Earlier this year, a separate study by Bluewater highlighted high levels of PFAS found in various locations throughout London, which has a population of approximately eight million. These chemicals, often dubbed “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and human body, have been linked to several health issues, including increased cholesterol levels, hypertension, immune system complications, reproductive problems, and an elevated risk of certain cancers.
Bengt Rittri, the founder and CEO of Bluewater, stressed the need for immediate global action in light of the new research. “The latest research demands urgent action to tackle the threats posed by single-use plastic bottles and the water they contain,” he said. Rittri, a notable ecopreneur who previously founded the air purification company Blueair, which he sold to Unilever in 2016, called on governments worldwide to scrutinise bottled water production. Currently, more than 600 billion single-use plastic bottles are produced annually, with less than 15% being recycled; the remainder often ends up in landfills or oceans, contributing to environmental pollution.
In response to these alarming findings, Bluewater highlights the pressing need for safe tap water, especially considering a recent large-scale US study that revealed that 40% of people globally are losing trust in municipal water supplies due to safety concerns. “These findings are a wake-up call for consumers and regulators alike,” Rittri stated, noting that while many authorities deem the levels of PFAS in water acceptable, there are rising concerns about their cumulative effects.
Bluewater advocates for enhanced regulations, improved testing methods, and increased transparency regarding contaminants in drinking water. The company’s water purification technologies aim to provide healthier tap water, with independent testing confirming that they effectively eliminate 99% of toxic chemicals, including PFAS.
As awareness of the potential risks from PFAS and other contaminants grows, Rittri asserts that consumers must be empowered with knowledge and resources to protect themselves. “Consumers are not just bystanders in this issue,” he said. “They need to be informed to safeguard their health against contamination.”