Is it unsafe to drink bottled water ? Read to find out more
Is it unsafe to drink bottled water ? Read to find out more
A recent study has raised concerns about the safety of drinking bottled water, revealing that an average liter contains approximately a quarter million nanoplastics, which are significantly smaller than microplastics.
Utilizing a microscope with dual lasers, researchers at Columbia and Rutgers universities identified and categorized these nanoplastics for the first time.
Examining samples from three common bottled water brands, the study found particle levels ranging from 110,000 to 400,000 per liter, with an average of around 240,000.
The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, disclosed 10 to 100 times more nanoplastics than microplastics in a liter of bottled water.
In contrast to earlier studies focusing on slightly larger microplastics visible to the naked eye, ranging from five millimeters to one micron, the latest research emphasizes nanoplastics, highlighting their penetration into tissues. While previous studies explored the presence of microplastics, the new research delves into understanding the impact of these particles at the cellular level.
Despite the findings, the study underscores a lack of standardized measuring methods and a scientific consensus on the potential health impacts of nano- and microplastic particles.
Phoebe Stapleton, a toxicologist at Rutgers, emphasizes that this aspect is currently under review, stating, “We don’t know if it’s dangerous or how dangerous.”
