The Arabist

The Arabist

By Issandr El Amrani and friends.

Don't drink the water

The US Embassy in Cairo has apparently released the following advisory:

Periodic routine testing by a U.S. military laboratory of "Safi" brand bottled water showed results of elevated radiological readings for alpha and beta particles. Laboratory protocol now requires specific follow-on testing. Although initial testing levels fell within the safety margins of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. military authorities of the Central Command suspended the sale of Safi water through the retail facilities it operates. The American Embassy commissary, which is used by American diplomats and military personnel assigned to Egypt, suspended sales of Safi pending further test results. Based on the EPA standards, we do not believe that the consumption of Safi water has posed a risk. We will report the results of further testing as soon as they are available.
Isn't Safi bottled by the military?