1 Litre of Packaged Water Has 2,40,000 Plastic Pieces
A published study conducted by Columbia University researchers & scientists found out that there are an average of 2,40,000 nanoplastic particles in a 1-litre packaged drinking water.
There was a time when drinking packaged drinking water was safer than drinking tap water but it looks like quenching our thirst from packaged drinking water can do more harm than good. A study was conducted by Columbia University. It aimed to find and study nanoplastic particles in 25 bottles of water each of three popular bottled water brands. The name of these brands was not disclosed in the study. One of Columbia's biophysicists and study co-author Wei Min had invented a new microscopic laser technology. The study detected 1,10,000 to 4,00,000 nanoplastic particles in each litre of test water. The average comes to 2,40,000 nanoplastic particles per litre in packaged drinking water. While earlier we were aware about the existence of nanoplastics in plastic bottled water, we didn't know its quantity. This latest research has shown us how much microplastic we consume every time we drink water stored in plastic bottles. Out of the various types of nanoplastic particles found, the most common one was polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which is the predominant (main) plastic used in the bottled beverage industry. Researchers believe that the minute particles of PET likely enter the water during bottle compression or through repetitive screwing and unscrewing of the bottle cap. Another commonly found plastic type in the examined bottled water samples was nylon. Another co-author, Beizhan Yan suggested that these nylon particles may come from the filters installed to purify the water. Similarly, these nanoplastic particles can get collected in our vital organs like bloodstream, digestive & respiratory systems, heart, brain, kidneys and even the bodies of unborn babies by crossing through their placenta. Many studies show what happens when chemicals used to make plastics enter our body. Dangerous chemicals like bisphenols, phthalates, dioxins, organic contaminants, and heavy metals used in plastic production can increase the risk of inflammation, respiratory issues & cancer affect important organs like kidneys, the liver, the heart, reproduction and the nervous system. So next time you think that there’s no need to carry water bottles because you do get safe packaged drinking water everywhere, you might wanna think again.
