Characteristics of Antimony Contamination from PET of Bottled Tap Water

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Research article

Journal of the Korean Society for Environmental Analysis 2012;15(3):163-170.

수돗물 병입수 중 PET병에서 안티몬의 용출 특성

안경희, 이연희, 권오상, 박주현, 김현구

국립환경과학원

Abstract

Drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) have produced the bottled tap waters (BTWs) for noncommercial use. In this study, pH and antimony concentration in seven BTWs of different storage periods, temperature and container materials were investigated. Antimony was detected with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS). As a result, antimony did not exceed the drinking water standard of Korea in all samples. Because antimony was leached from the PET bottle and high temperature promoted its leaching, it was recommended to avoid the exposure to sunlight or high temperature during distribution and storage. In order to consider the commercialization of BTW, a comprehensive management plan covering from production to shelf life should be established.

Key Words: Bottled tap water, Antimony, Drinking water, PET