Adequate hydration is considered one of the fundamental aspects of well-being. However, a recent investigation revealed that all of us are ingesting a quarter million minuscule, imperceptible plastic fragments per litre of bottled water, which is 10-100 times higher than prior estimates.
Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal, this groundbreaking study unveiled that an average of 2,40,000 particles are present in one litre of water in a plastic bottle, mostly comprising nanoparticles capable of infiltrating human cells and accessing the bloodstream and major organs. Contrary to earlier studies, which undervalued plastic content, this research by Columbia researchers challenges established beliefs about the safety of bottled water, as it exposes the presence of plastic particles to be approximately a hundred times greater than previously assumed.
Nanoplastics In Bottled Water
Drinking water from a plastic bottle may not be as innocent as it seems. The researchers found 1,10,000 to 3,70,000 tiny plastic particles per litre, with 90% being nanoplastics. Columbia's biophysicist Wei Min, co-author of the study and creator of the technology, identified an average of 2,40,000 plastic fragments per litre.
These nanoplastics, measuring less than 1 micrometre, can traverse the digestive and respiratory systems, entering the bloodstream and accumulating in vital organs, including the brain and the bodies of unborn infants via the placenta.
The primary source of these particles, as indicated by the authors, stems from the bottle itself, with particles measuring less than a micron in size. The researchers utilised a novel laser technology to reveal these findings, which was led by Naixin Qian, a PhD student in chemistry at Columbia.
Although the potential impacts of these nanoparticles are acknowledged, researchers remain uncertain about whether these findings elevate the safety concerns associated with bottled water.
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Nanoplastics Health Risk
Despite their minuscule size of smaller than one-seventieth the width of a human hair, these nanoparticles can have potential health implications. According to a study published in MDPI’s nanomaterials, nanoparticles can enter cells and tissues in major organs, circulating through the bloodstream and potentially spreading harmful synthetic chemicals.
The study found that nanoparticles can damage your health in the following ways:
- Caused natural cell death in all gut lining cells.
- Led to natural cell death in certain immune cells and lung lining cells.
- Changes in the building blocks of proteins and digestive acids.
- Caused an imbalance in gut bacteria and problems with the gut wall.
- Hindered the body's ability to use energy. Messed up metabolism because of issues with gut bacteria and gut wall function.
- Increased the chances of metabolism problems in future generations.
- Caused inflammation in human lung cells.
- Worsened inflammation in various human cancers. Changed how cells handle waste substances.
- Caused bone loss around implants and triggered inflammation at the implant site.
- Caused inflammation in the liver.
- Caused negative effects on nerve signalling.
The study conducted by Columbia researchers concluded that in addition to the penetrative ability of nanoplastics, the chemicals that are used to produce these plastics, such as bisphenols, phthalates, dioxins, organic contaminants, and heavy metals, can also elevate the risk of cancer and impact vital organs, including the kidneys, liver, heart, reproductive system, and nervous system, possibly accumulating through the food chain. Despite nanoplastics constituting 90% of plastic particles in bottled water, researchers stress the significance of their sheer number, emphasising their heightened capacity to infiltrate the human body.