Reports

Bottled water contains upto 100 times more plastic than previously known: Study

The new study proved that on average one liter of such bottled water consists of around 240,000 nanoparticles of seven different types of plastics. Out of these 90 percent were nanoplastics whereas 10 percent were microplastics.

• By Pooja Chaturvedi Sah
• New Delhi
• Jan 09, 2024

Reports

The omnipresence of plastics in our lives and their related health hazards are one of the top health issues of our times. In fact, the microplastics (1 µm to 5 mm in length) and nanoplastics (<1 μm) are believed to be more toxic due to their smaller size which makes them more pliable to enter our bloodstream and much more difficult to detect. 

Now a new study done by the scientists at Columbia University and Rutgers University demonstrates that our bottled water, which was considered a safer alternative to tap water, may contain around 10 to 100 times fine bits or nanoparticles of plastic that are impossible to detect even under a microscope.

The study published on Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, proved that on average one liter of such bottled water consists of around 240,000 nanoparticles of seven different types of plastics. Out of these 90 percent were nanoplastics whereas 10 percent were microplastics.

The researchers used a newly developed laser technology called the stimulated Raman scattering microscopy, a non-destructive imaging technique that provides detailed molecular information about a sample, which was co-invented by study co-author and Columbia biophysicist Wei Min.  

The technique involved probing samples with two simultaneous lasers that were tuned to make specific molecules resonate. The researchers created a data-driven algorithm by targeting seven common plastics to interpret the results. 

"It is one thing to detect, but another to know what you are detecting," said Min in a press-release. The researchers have said that their findings "is two to three orders of magnitude more than the previously reported results merely focusing on large microplastics."

The researchers tested three popular brands of bottled water sold in the US. However, they did not specify the brands tested in the study. They found 110,000 to 370,000 particles in each liter. 

The common one was polyethylene terephthalate or PET which is used in making many water bottles, including soda drinks and even products like ketchup and mayonnaise. They also found nylon which breaks down into toxic monomers as it degrades. 

The study also identified polystyrene, commonly known as styrofoam which can break down into the suspected carcinogen styrene. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can contain harmful additives such as lead or phthalates and has been linked to disruptions in the nervous or endocrine systems was also found during the research. 

The research raised concerns about the severe health risks these nanoplastics posed, especially for the very young and very old, as these particles are small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier and could lead to neural degeneration in the elderly. Similarly, the nanoplastics are small enough to cross the placenta into the womb and may lead to cell damage and threaten the normal growth of the foetus’s heart and brain tissues. 

The researchers also pointed out that human digestive system is also prone to the negative impact as plastics are likely to enter the human body through drinking water. These encourage harmful bacteria to grow and suppress beneficial bacteria, the researchers said. 

The authors also expressed concern about the chemical structure of plastics. They stated that the plastics that are similar to the chemistry of living creatures can mimic key biological processes and could imitate the chemical messengers in our body that aid in performing a number of bodily functions.

The size of the nanoplastics and microplastics is around 1,000th of the average width of the hair of a human. Nanoplastics’ tiny size allows easy absorption into our biological systems, leading them to accumulate in organs and tissues, causing inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of cellular functions. Moreover, the particles are known to carry harmful chemicals and act as carriers for pathogens, thus intensifying health risks. 

The long-term impact of nanoplastics’ exposure is a growing concern in today’s time, especially with its potential damage to human health, including cardiovascular and respiratory health, as well as adverse effects on the immune and reproductive systems. The study reinforces the need to mitigate plastic pollution as a crucial step in address global health for all.