Water machines weaken health, institute warns

Consuming water from community vending machines can increase the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases and weaken a child's bones, a health expert has warned.

Zhao Feihong, from the Beijing Research Institute of Drinking Water and Public Health, said water emitted from a vending machine is purified through reverse osmosis, which lowers its conductivity limit and defines it as soft water.

A report released by the World Health Organization in 2006 said drinking soft and purified water over just several weeks could damage a body. After the water is purified, there is an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to a low intake of magnesium, as well as potential damage to children's growing bones from a lack of calcium, Beijing Times said.