Several brands of bottled water harbor significantly higher concentrations of microplastics and nanoplastics compared to tap water, according to researchers from Ohio State University who devised a novel approach for detecting these minute plastic fragments. This research was published in the journal Science of The Total Environment (STE).
Tiny elements of synthetic polymers, termed microplastics and nanoplastics, originate from the degradation of plastic packaging and various other synthetic goods. These particles are currently detected virtually everywhere—from oceans and soil to the air and drinking water sources.
During their investigation, experts examined water samples taken from four water treatment facilities near Lake Erie, in addition to six widely available bottled water brands. The results indicated that, on average, bottled water contained triple the amount of nanoplastic particles found in treated tap water.
While microplastics in drinking water have been subject to considerable prior study, nanoplastics remained elusive for a long time due to their extremely small dimensions. This recent study yielded better success because the scientists employed a combination of scanning electron microscopy and infrared photothermal spectroscopy.
More than fifty percent of all detected particles were classified specifically as nanoplastics. Unsurprisingly, the plastic containers themselves were identified as the source of these nanoplastics in bottled water. However, the origin of nanoplastics within the municipal water supply remains undetermined.
The effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health are still not fully understood; nevertheless, it is established that the smallest particles can easily traverse biological barriers and accumulate within bodily tissues. Multiple studies have demonstrated that these particles can induce inflammatory responses.
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