Bottled water contains nanoplastics that can penetrate body cells – study
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Bottled water may contain many more pieces of nanoplastic that can penetrate body cells than scientists previously thought.
In a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, scientists from Columbia University presented a new technology for counting nanoparticles in bottled water, CNN reports.
Microplastics (nanoplastics) are polymer fragments ranging in size from 1 micrometer to 5 millimeters. Through the tissues of the digestive tract or lungs, they can enter the bloodstream and carry synthetic chemicals throughout the body,
Scientists studied the composition of drinking water of three popular brands in the USA and found that each liter contains from 110,000 to 370,000 nanoplastic particles. Previously, it was believed that there are about 300 of them per liter.
Read also: We drink plastic. It flows from faucets all over the world – research
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“We found millions of nanoparticles that could be inorganic, organic or some other plastic particles“said co-author of the study, scientist Beizhan Yan.
Nanoplastic particles in water were first discovered in 2018, when scientists examined the composition of 11 different brands of drinking water.
Then scientists discovered that each liter of water contained an average of 10 plastic particles wider than a human hair, and about 300 smaller ones.
“In the production of plastic, chemicals are used, which later enter the human body. Since the body temperature is higher than the outside, these chemicals migrate from the bottles and can reach the liver, kidneys, brain and even seep through the placental barrier, ending up in the body future child”says study co-author Sherry Mason.
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| Photo: Oscar Wong/Getty Images |
According to her, the study confirms the expediency of the advice of experts who recommend drinking tap water from glass or stainless vessels.
The advice also applies to other foods and drinks packaged in plastic, Mason added.
We previously reported that global plastic pollution can be reduced by 80% by 2040.
Read also: Scientists have figured out how to turn plastic into vanillin
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