Water Supplies Tainted by Artificial Sweeteners
by Jennifer Lance in Drinking Water
Municipal water supplies contain “significant amounts” of artificial sweeteners, according to a new study from the Water Technology Centre in Karlsruhe, Germany. Featured in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, the study found water treatment does not remove the artificial sweeteners. Natural News writes:
Researchers from the Water Technology Centre in Karlsruhe, Germany examined levels of seven common sweeteners – acesulfame, saccharin, aspartame, cyclamate (currently banned in the US and Canada), sucralose, neotame and NHDC – using a new method that enables detection of the substances simultaneously. Analysis of the water samples revealed that up to 80% and 59% of sucralose and acesulfame remained respectively, despite treatment and advanced filtration. Acesulfame was found to be the most treatment resistant sweetener, with several hundred nanograms of saccharin and cyclamate also remaining.
Prior to this study, not much research has been done on the prevalence of artificial sweeteners in treated municipal water, and scientists are concerned how they will affect aquatic environments, considering many artificial sweeteners are associated with health problems in human, such as decreased fertility and and cancer. The study’s authors wrote:
The persistence of some artificial sweeteners during soil aquifer treatment was demonstrated and confirmed their environmental relevance. The occurrence of such sweeteners in the aquatic environment may become an issue for consumers.
There is concern that over time, levels of artificial sweeteners in treated water will grow due to the “extremely slow rate at which sucralose breaks down in the environment”. Two of the seven tested artificial sweeteners are currently banned in the US.
Last year, it was discovered that pharmaceutical drugs remain in tap water, now it’s artificial sweetners. It’s only logical to assume anything that goes down our drains, whether it has been in our bodies first or not, will remain in treated water. “Treatment-resistance substances in drinking water” is a concern for all of us.
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Posted on Aug 05, 2009
aquatic life, artificial sweeteners, municipal water, sucralose, tainted water supply, treated water
About the Author
Jennifer Lance
Jennifer lives on 160 acres off-the-grid in a home built with her own two hands (and several more skilled pairs of hands) from forest fire salvaged timber. Her home is powered by a micro-hydro turbine, and she has been a vegetarian for 21 years. She graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in art education and has been teaching art to children for over 16 years. Jennifer is the founder and editor of Eco Child's Play.4 Responses to “Water Supplies Tainted by Artificial Sweeteners”
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Carla
Aug 05, 2009
Its so hard to know what to drink these days. I doubt standard filters will make much of a difference when it comes to drugs and artificial sweeteners in the tap water and bottled water is evil (and probably not much healthier). Are there any options available?
Audrey
Aug 07, 2009
I saw your comments about sucralose (marketed as Splenda) and felt compelled to respond. Since joining the Calorie Control Council – a non-profit trade association that represents the light food and beverage industry – I’ve spent a lot of time researching low-calorie sweeteners and fat replacers. The safety of sucralose is documented by one of the most extensive and thorough safety testing programs ever conducted on a new food ingredient. This includes studying the impact of sucralose on the environment. Scientific research demonstrated that sucralose is inherently biodegradable and has no adverse effect on the environment. Over time, it is broken down by bacteria in soil into water, salt and carbon dioxide. Studies have also proven that sucralose is not harmful to plant life or aquatic organisms. For example, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, a leading independent research body, determined that sucralose does not bioaccumulate in any aquatic organisms. They did not detect sucralose in either fish or shellfish (mussels) and said: “Based on the eco toxicological data currently available, the measured environmental concentrations reported in this study do not suggest any environmental risks.â€
For more information, visit http://www.sucralose.org, http://www.caloriecontrol.org/sucralos.html
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/406_sweeteners.html, and http://www.acsh.org/news/newsID.449/news_detail.asp.
Compare Water Filters
Aug 07, 2009
Carla is correct that standard filters don’t remove drugs and artificial sweeteners in most cases. It takes reverse osmosis filters to remove these contaminants. So sad that we are polluting out world to this degree – poisoning fish, wildlife and our children.
Mike
Aug 18, 2009
Duke University has shown that sucralose has negative effects on our bodies. Many people are stepping forward with the side effects of this insecticide (yes, you read that right – it was originally an insecticide when a research misheard TEST it… he TASTED it instead).
Don’t take my word for it, I’m just a messenger. Research the many people coming forward and the studies not sponsored by Splenda.