A recent investigation has uncovered that each liter of bottled water on average harbors roughly 240,000 minuscule nanoplastic particles. This was unveiled through the use of an advanced dual laser microscope, as part of a study conducted by a collaborative team from Columbia and Rutgers universities. The team examined three widely consumed bottled water brands, uncovering nanoplastic concentrations ranging from 110,000 to 400,000 particles per liter, according to a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
These particles, smaller than a micron, are considerably tinier than a strand of human hair, which measures about 83 microns in width. Prior research primarily concentrated on larger microplastics, but this investigation found nanoplastics to be 10 to 100 times more abundant than microplastics in bottled water. The study’s principal researcher, Naixin Qian, a physical chemist at Columbia, suggests that these plastics primarily derive from the water bottles themselves and the reverse osmosis membranes used in their filtration process.
The potential health effects of nanoplastics are yet to be fully understood. Phoebe Stapleton, a toxicologist from Rutgers and co-author of the study, points out that ongoing research is examining their impact on mammalian tissues and cells. The International Bottled Water Association has acknowledged the lack of consensus regarding the health implications of nano- and microplastic particles. Meanwhile, the American Chemistry Council has not issued any statement on the matter.
The pervasiveness of plastic pollution is an escalating global concern. Annually, more than 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced, and microplastics have been detected in the oceans, various foods, and water sources. These pollutants often originate from items like clothing and cigarette filters, sparking discussions about the necessity for an international plastics treaty.
The study has influenced the personal choices of the researchers involved, with many opting to reduce their consumption of bottled water in favor of tap or filtered water. However, there is concern about the potential for plastic contamination from filters. External experts have praised the study but stress the need for further investigation into the risks associated with plastics and their additives, which can be carcinogenic and disrupt cellular functions.
The method employed in this study, a dual laser microscope developed around 15 years ago by Wei Min of Columbia, represents a major leap in detecting tiny plastic particles. However, oceanographer Kara Lavender Law and Australian government oceanographer Denise Hardesty call for additional validation of these techniques and a more comprehensive perspective to interpret these findings.
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To summarize, while the full health implications of nanoplastic presence are yet to be determined, researchers like Beizhan Yan are exploring the occurrence of plastics in municipal water supplies. For those concerned about nanoplastic impacts, using reusable bottles instead of single-use plastics is recommended.
