Mineral content of 70 bottled water brands sold on the Turkish market: Assessment of their compliance with current regulations

In this work, 70 bottled water brands consisting of “natural spring” and “processed drinking” types collected from supermarkets and food stores in eight provinces of Turkey were analyzed for their major and trace element constituents to ascertain their suitability for human consumption. The results obtained were compared with parametric values (PVs) set by European Community Council Directive 98/83/EC and the guideline values (GVs) recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). Al, Co, Cu, Fe, and Mn were non-detectable in most of the samples. NH4+, NO3−, NO2−, SO42−, F−, Cl−, Al, B, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Se were all below their respective PVs or GVs. However, measured As concentration in one brand was more than three times the standard value set by EC and WHO. Additionally, in six brands, As concentrations were higher than 5 μg L−1. High concentrations of As in water could pose a risk to individuals who consume those brands on a regular basis.