|
|
|
| April 8, 2003 | Tuesday | Safar 5, 1424 |
‘Continuous use of bottled water causes bone weakness’
ISLAMABAD, April 7: The chairman of Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, Dr Akram Kahloon, said the continuous use of mineral water was found unhealthy rather than its positive affects on health.
He said the regular use of mineral water might deplete the body of essential minerals ultimately leading to severe consequences like bone weaknesses and deformities.
He said regular use of mineral water may lead to multiple complications due to deficiency of necessary minerals including calcium, potassium, sodium nitrate, iron, magnesium, fluoride, chloride, carbonate, sulphate bicarbonate and many others.
He said natural water contained more than 150 different minerals while some mineral water brands had none and the badly reputed amongst are Nestle, AVA, Sparklet. Even 11 brands of mineral water including Masafi, Cool, Rainbow, Safa, Zam Zam, Fresh, Musaffa, Wellgreen, Himalaya and one imported brand (name ofimported brand not mentioned in the report) found unsafe for human consumption as per the analysis done by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR).
He said Nestle, AVA and Sparklet are considered dull water (Soft water without natural minerals) and harmful for health.
The Chairman said, “I personally visited the plant of Nestle and found it contrary to international standards even it does not have actually 10 minerals as compared to more than minerals in natural water.”
The plant was using method to purify water by passing it through special pressure which also desolate minerals essential for human body, he said.
“A person, who drinks mineral water, has to change his lifestyle and eat vegetables and fruits just to overcome mineral deficiency aimed at saving the body from diseases,” he remarked.
According to previous report released by the PCRWR regarding analysis of 21 mineral brands available in the market are harmful for human health but 11 of them mentioned above are even not drinkable. Others including Niagra, Nestle, AVA, Aqua Safe, Ab-e- Hayat, Aqua Flow, Max Wellpur, Brecon Carreg, Evian and Perrier are considered soft water, containing no mineral but not health friendly.
Responding to a question about difference in soft and hard water, he said, “Soft water is much more harmful than hard water because it causes various diseases in human body.”
“We are trying to monitor all plants of mineral water established in various parts of the country and plundering millions of rupees by deceiving innocent people only because of publicity,” he said.
“The Council has already started a programme to train its staff for conducting analysis in labs aimed at stopping such unlawful practice in the country,” the Chairman said.
The Council has decided to provide services for improving quality of water by regular monitoring and proper guideline to owners of mineral water plants of the country, he told this agency.
He said, “The Council is also considering special policy for mineral water brands to provide purified and natural water to people at nominal price having complete assurance by this Council.” — APP
|
|
|
|
