Determination of organic compounds in bottled waters

The presence of organic compounds in bottled waters available in the Greek market and their fate when the representative samples exposed at different conditions were the main purposes of this study. The determination of the organic compounds was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques. Disinfection by-products compounds, such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), were detected at low concentrations in bottled waters. As far as it concerns other organic substances, Greek bottled drinking waters did not contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbonyl compounds as well as other carcinogen and hormone disrupter phthalates were not identified, except for the plasticiser phthalate, diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). Moreover, samples contained other organic chemicals, whose identity has not yet been confirmed. The behavior of organic compounds was influenced by parameters such as conditions of storage, type of water. Finally, a comparison has been performed between the analysis of bottled and local tap waters. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.