The average 1-litre plastic bottle contains 100 times higher levels of 'nanoplastics' than previously thought, according to new research.
According to the journal Proceedings, the peer-reviewed study is the first to examine particles less than 1 micrometer long, or 1/70th the width of a human hair, with an average of 240,000 particles in a liter bottle. It was found to be filled with plastic particles. National Academy of Sciences.
Previous studies have only analyzed microplastics between 1 and 5,000 micrometers in length.
But experts say nanoplastics potentially pose a greater health risk because they are small enough to penetrate cells and enter the bloodstream and can affect organs.
It can also cross a pregnant woman's placenta and affect the fetus.
“Investigation into the health effects of nanoplastics is currently in its early stages and more research is needed,” study co-author Beizan Yang, an environmental chemist at Columbia University, told the Post on Tuesday.
As part of their research, Yang and lead author Naixin Qian developed a new microscopy technique to identify nanoplastics. This technology has not previously been advanced enough to confirm the presence of particulates in bottled water.
This new technology was used to test 1 liter water bottles from 25 different brands.
The researchers declined to say which brands they tested, but they found between 110,000 and 370,000 of these tiny plastic pieces in each liter. 90% of it was nanoplastic. bloombergit was a report to report on research.
by mayo clinicAdult men should drink about 3.7 liters of water per day, while women should aim for 2.7 liters. This amount translates to an individual being exposed to as many as 888,000 or 648,000 plastic particles per day for men and women, respectively, if they choose to consume their daily water. Consume only from water packed in plastic containers.
“We encourage consumers to consider switching to other options, such as tap water or reusable water bottles,” Yang said.
The co-authors told Bloomberg that their research on nanoplastics extends beyond bottled water, with plans to investigate why tiny plastic particles appear in tap water and in snow samples they plan to collect from West Antarctica. Ta.
“We can't say for sure that tap water is healthier,” Yang says.
“Tap water may contain other contaminants, such as heavy metals and black carbon, while bottled water may contain less. Check your local water quality report. We recommend that you do so.”
The researchers' revelations came on the heels of last week's Consumer Reports finding that potentially dangerous levels of plastic chemicals could be found in Cheerios, Coca-Cola and Gerber cereals. .
The nonprofit advocacy group tested 85 food items sold at supermarkets and fast food chains and found some level of plastic chemicals in 84 of them.
Chemicals called “plasticizers” or phthalates commonly infect products by penetrating through the packaging material. report.
Phthalates can cause cancer, infertility, birth defects, obesity and other serious health problems, the report says, calling on the federal government to ban phthalates. ing.
