Evaluation of maximum contaminant levels in Turkish bottled drinking waters utilizing parameters reported on manufacturerʹs labeling and government-issued production licenses

A total of 189 domestic brands of bottled water consisting of natural spring, natural mineral, drinking and processed drinking types were evaluated by means of both physical and chemical parameters reported on their manufacturerʹs labeling and/or in government-issued production licenses. A comparison between the water composition and the maximum contaminant levels imposed by the Turkish legislation (Resmi Gazete, No. 23144) for all parameters is discussed. The results obtained were also compared with the European Economic Community Council Directive 98/83/EC and standards set by International Bottled Water Association, US Food and Drug Administration, US Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization. Results show that a significant number of bottled water brands contain some elements (e.g. sodium, chloride, sulfide, fluoride, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and several heavy metals) above the maximum concentration allowed for bottled waters by the Turkish legislation as well as several other international organizations.