A recent study has shed light on the extent of microplastic contamination in bottled water. While it was already known that bottled water contained such particles, the magnitude of the issue has now been quantified. According to researchers from Columbia University and Rutgers University, a single liter of bottled water may harbor up to 240,000 minuscule plastic pieces.
Contrary to the pristine image often associated with bottled water from natural springs, the study reveals a disturbing reality. For the first time, researchers have detected and classified nearly a quarter of a million invisible nanoplastics present in an average liter of bottled water.
Also Read: Best ways to boost Vitamin D levels during winter
Using a newly developed laser technology capable of detecting even the tiniest fragments, the study uncovered a particle level ranging from 110,000 to 400,000 plastic pieces per liter, with an average of approximately 240,000. This technology significantly increased the detectable plastic particles in bottled water by more than tenfold and, in some instances, a hundredfold.
The study suggests that a significant portion of these plastic particles may originate from the bottle itself. In contrast, others are traced back to the reverse osmosis membrane filter used to exclude contaminants. The researchers refrained from disclosing the specific brands operated in the study but noted that they were commonly available in the United States and could be found in Walmart.
Also Read: 30-day muscle building workout plan at home without equipment
Plastics identified in the bottled water varied in size, shape, and distribution, providing insights into their sources. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), for instance, appeared as chunky micrometer-sized shards, possibly originating from the bottles themselves.
Smaller nanoparticles may have been shed during the early stages of production and subsequently disintegrated. The study also found polyamide and polystyrene plastics, ironically commonly used as membrane materials in water treatment plants.
