Too many nitrates, cadmium and other poisonous substances. Mineral salts occasionally too heavy for the organisms. In the new Italian passion some dangers are hidden.

Sometimes labels are printed with infinitesimal, unreadable, characters. Sometimes indications provided are unclear, destined to the knowledgeable. Yet, labels are meant to be the biggest guarantee for the consumer. Now we try and analyse some of the most frequent indications expressed on mineral water bottles.
 

DATE: Water goes off. Hard to believe, but that is it,. And the products are compelled to visibly report the expiry date.
 

180° STABLE REMAINDER: that is what is left over after water evaporation at that temperature. The higher it is, the more consistent mineral salt content. Water drank daily should better have a low remainder - below 50 mg/l, named 'mineralised in the slightest degree' - or 'of low mineral content' (below 500 mg/l).

PH: Indicates water acidity level. In between 6,5 and 7,5 water is considered neutral, the best to consume daily.
 

HARDNESS: With such indication (expressed in French degrees) we know how much limestone is in the water. When we do not suffer from particular problem, there is no reason to choose a low calcium and magnesium salts content water.

SODIUM: Discovered in 1807, it regulates - altogether with potassium - the balance between the in and outside environment of the cell.
Sodium chloride (table salt) is present in each of us' diet. Advisable value for mineral waters is 20 mg/l.
 

CALCIUM: Ca, representing 1,5 - 2 % of human body in weight, is the absolute most abundant mineral within the organism. Not as popular in mineral water, average lower than 60 mg/l.

FLUORINE: Only after calcium, it is the most abundant mineral in human body. 85 % stays in bones tied to calcium, while the rest regulates the cells' equilibrium. Maximum accepted rate for drinkable water is 1,7 mg/l. Water close to such value should not be drank every day.

CHLORINE: It is not harmful, in fact it is used to disinfect waterways. Over 200 mg/l, though, it indicates pollution.

SULPHATES: Naturally present within water, their level must be lower than 50 mg/l, especially when destined to children. Too a high level means in fact pollution.

NITRATES: The limit, by law, is 50 mg/l for adults and 10 mg/l for children; it is however better to remain under 25 mg/l. Nitrates are amongst the most dangerous health pollutants.

NITRITES: they represent nitrates transformations, and are then yet more dangerous of the former, coherently they have to stay completely out of water composition.

AMMONIA: Same as before. On the label you normally read "lower than...", which means that the analysis instrument cannot reveal the exact.

ORGANIC SUBSTANCES: Even named as "oxidizability index", they must be absent, since they mean contamination typical of agricultural areas or waste.

LEAD, CADMIUM: Heavy metals, found in water after contamination.