Organo-halogenated compound in commercial bottled mineral water. I.

The presence of volatile organo-halogenated compounds (trihalomethanes and chlorinated solvents) has been studied in 94 samples of bottled mineral waters ready for consumption. 40% of the examined samples showed the presence of very small amounts of OAV, while concentrations over 1 ug/l (value limit for the mineral waters) were observed in 6% of the champions. The maximum concentration was 5.79 ug/l. The compound tha showed up more frequntly (25.26% of the cases) and higher concentrationsa (max 5.79 ug/l) was chloroform, followed by tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethane, trichloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride. In none of the sample were bromodichloromethane and dibrochloromethane found. Therefore, the possible origins of the detected substances is discussed, taking in consideration: a) contamination of the water table; b) contamination during the water collection and bottling process; and c) contamination from the container.