Should NH require bottled water companies to test for PFCs and print the results on their labels?

Next Wednesday, February 14, representatives will hear public testimony on whether New Hampshire should require bottled water companies to test for certain chemicals, including PFCs, and print the results on their labels.

Rep. Mindi Messmer is sponsoring the bill in question, HB 1632. The proposed law requires bottled water companies to test annually for 24 perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), methyl tert butyl ether (MTBE), and arsenic. The test results must be printed on the bottled water labels.

About PFC contamination

Rep. Messmer is sponsoring several bills related to PFCs this year. PFCs are man-made chemicals used in nonstick cookware, stain resistant carpeting, and more. While the long-term health effects of PFCs are not yet fully understood, elevated levels may cause health problems.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) is investigating PFC contamination in locations around the state, and is providing bottled water to some residents with contaminated wells.

Click here to learn more about the debates over water quality in New Hampshire.

Is bottled water safe?

While bottled water may seem safer than tap water, standards for bottled water are generally not stricter than standards for public drinking water systems. In most cases, public water regulations are actually more stringent and require more public disclosure.

According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “The best way to know if the [bottled] water you are drinking is free from the contaminant(s) you are concerned about is to contact the bottler and ask for the latest testing results and whether the water has been treated to remove the contaminant.”

Should states leave it to the federal government?

Critics of Messmer’s bill argue that federal regulation is enough to ensure bottled water is safe. If New Hampshire passes its own regulations on bottled water, it might drive bottled water companies out of the state.

Others question if consumers will pay any attention to chemical test results printed in tiny font on water bottles.

Do you think New Hampshire should require bottled water companies to test for PFCs and print the results on their labels?