Media Release

FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: February 4, 1999
CONTACT: Robert J. Marshall Jr. Ph.D.
Assistant Director of Health 401-222-2231

Department of Health Reports No Dioxin Found in Bottled Water
Results Confirm Previous EPA Tests at Yacht Club

The Rhode Island Department of Health found no dioxin in water samples from five water bottling facilities—including the Yacht Club Bottling Works Company. The Department tested source water and finished products at each site for TCDD, the most hazardous type of dioxin. This testing can detect dioxin even below the level that triggers health warnings or other action.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires these tests as part of a nationwide bottled water initiative. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tested environmental samples for dioxin, including water from the Yacht Club bottling plant. Today’s announcement is consistent with earlier EPA preliminary results that found no dioxin in Yacht Club water.

For more information contact the Family Health Information Line at the RI Department of Health 1-800-942-7434

For speech or hearing impaired,
1-800-745-5555 (TTY)
Department of Health Website: www.health.state.ri.us