Yes, Consumer Reports found measurable PFAS in several sparkling waters, with Topo Chico and Polar testing highest, but the levels were low, in the single-digit parts per trillion, and below most regulatory thresholds. Plain still bottled waters generally tested lower than carbonated ones, so if you want to minimize exposure, the brand you choose matters more than whether the water has bubbles.
Key takeaways
– Consumer Reports tested popular waters and found the most PFAS in Topo Chico (9.76 ppt) and Polar (6.41 ppt).
– Most brands tested in the low single digits: Bubly 2.24, Poland Spring 1.66, Canada Dry 1.24, LaCroix 1.16, Perrier 1.1 ppt.
– These levels are below the EPA’s 4 ppt drinking-water limit for PFOA and PFOS, though some scientists argue for a 1 ppt total ceiling for bottled water.
What Consumer Reports found
In a widely cited 2020 investigation, Consumer Reports tested dozens of bottled waters for total PFAS. Carbonated waters tended to test higher than still ones. The highest result was Topo Chico at 9.76 parts per trillion, followed by Polar at 6.41. Others came in lower: Bubly at 2.24, Poland Spring sparkling at 1.66, Canada Dry at 1.24, LaCroix at 1.16, and Perrier at 1.1 parts per trillion. After the findings, the brand owner of Topo Chico said it had taken steps that reduced its levels in later testing to around 3.9 ppt.
How concerned should you be
It helps to keep the scale in mind. A part per trillion is roughly one drop in twenty Olympic swimming pools. The highest sparkling-water result, under 10 ppt, is far below the levels found in many contaminated tap-water supplies, and the more typical results near 1 ppt are very low. PFAS exposure is cumulative across water, food, and products, so sparkling water is a small contributor for most people, not a primary source. See what PFAS are for the bigger picture.
Why sparkling water can test higher
Carbonated waters are not inherently more contaminated by nature; the differences trace back to the source water and the treatment each brand uses before bottling. Some mineral and spring sources carry more background PFAS, and carbonation and processing do not remove it. That is why two sparkling waters can test very differently, and why a brand can lower its numbers by changing its filtration.
The regulation gap
The EPA’s 2024 limits of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS apply to public tap-water systems, not directly to bottled or sparkling water, which the FDA oversees under separate rules. The International Bottled Water Association has suggested a voluntary ceiling of 1 ppt for a single PFAS and 5 ppt total, but this is not a federal requirement. So bottled water is not held to the same enforceable PFAS standard as your tap.
How to lower your exposure
If you love bubbles, you have easy options. Choose brands that tested at or near 1 ppt, or make your own sparkling water at home with a carbonation machine using tap water you have run through a filter certified for PFAS (NSF/ANSI 53 carbon or NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis). That gives you fizz with the lowest PFAS and far less plastic. See the best water filter for PFAS.
FAQ
Does sparkling water contain PFAS?
Some does. Consumer Reports detected PFAS in several sparkling waters, with the highest being Topo Chico at 9.76 parts per trillion and Polar at 6.41, while many others tested near 1 ppt. The levels are low but not always zero.
Which sparkling water has the most PFAS?
In Consumer Reports testing, Topo Chico had the highest total PFAS at 9.76 parts per trillion, followed by Polar at 6.41. The brand owner later said Topo Chico’s levels were reduced to about 3.9 ppt in subsequent testing.
Is the PFAS in sparkling water dangerous?
The amounts are very low, in single-digit parts per trillion, and below the EPA’s 4 ppt tap-water limit for PFOA and PFOS. For most people sparkling water is a minor contributor to total PFAS exposure compared with tap water, food, and consumer products.
Why does sparkling water have more PFAS than still water?
It is not the carbonation itself but the source water and treatment. Some spring and mineral sources carry more background PFAS, and processing does not remove it, so results vary widely by brand rather than by whether the water is fizzy.
How can I drink sparkling water with less PFAS?
Choose brands that tested near 1 ppt, or carbonate your own at home using tap water filtered through a system certified for PFAS (NSF/ANSI 53 carbon or NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis). That delivers the lowest PFAS and cuts plastic waste.
The bottom line
Sparkling water can contain trace PFAS, with a few brands testing higher than the rest, but the levels are low and it is a small piece of your total exposure. Pick a low-testing brand or carbonate filtered tap water at home, and put your real effort into your everyday drinking water. See PFAS in drinking water.
