There is another good reason to stay away from soda: Benzene.

So far in 2006, two news outlets have reported that the Agency is again testing soft drinks, finding benzene sometimes at levels above the safe limit for drinking water, and asking companies to change their formulas. To date the FDA has concealed this information from the public. (Environmental Working Group, 28 February 2006)

The World Health Organization sets the limit for drinkable water at 10 parts per billion (ppb). Independent tests of two carbonated sodas show levels at more than double the allowable ppbs.

Internal documents show that the industry knew that sometimes there were benzene levels of 25 parts per billion "off the shelf," and 82 parts per billion after exposure to heat and light. In testing in 1990, one well-known diet-soda product had been measured at 1 part per billion "off the shelf" and 41.5 parts per billion after exposure to heat and light. This problem of the tendency of benzene to form would be greatest in the hot climates of many developing countries -- precisely where the companies' soda sales are increasing. (Ross E. Getman, Common Dreams, 12 March 2006)

Beverage makers unintentionally created benzene in soda by mixing two ingredients, sodium benzoate and ascorbic or citric acid.

[FDA Chemist Glen Lawrence]His study showed that ascorbic acid initially reacted with metals, such as iron or copper, found in the water to create ‘free radical’ particles known as hydroxyl radicals. Sodium benzoate, meanwhile, breaks down into benzoic acid when placed in acidic conditions, such as in a soft drink. The hydroxyl radical attacks the benzoic acid, removing the carbon dioxide from it and leaving benzene in its wake. Lawrence’s study said this reaction could take place "under conditions prevalent in many foods and beverages". (Chris Mercer, Beverage Daily, 2 February 2006)

The FDA learned of this problem in 1990, but opted not to raise awareness on the matter because beverage companies promised to reformulate their products and because the National Soft Drinks Association expressed concerns that such a move would generate adverse publicity for the soft drink industry. (Ross E. Getman, Common Dreams, 12 March 2006)

Benzene is a known carcinogen classified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), International Agency for Cancer Research and the Environmental Protection Agency. According to the Toxicological Profile Information on Benezene, long term exposure can affect blood cell production and suppress the immune system. Benzene is a cause of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (Agency For Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public Health Statement for Benzene)

The FDA can justify its reticence on this matter by showing that the danger lies only in long-term exposure—that the beverage companies are fixing the problem. It has been over 15 years and beverage companies have not addressed the problem in a satisfactory manner. The 2005 U.S. per capita consumption of eight-ounce servings of soda is 828 and the industry market heavily towards children and teenagers. Soda industry deserves some bad publicity so it can get its act together.