Previously, this was just a dark, uncharted area.
This opens a window where we can look into a world that was not exposed to us before.
What Types of Plastics Are in Bottled Water?
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The researchers tested three popular bottled water brands sold in the U.S. but declined to name which ones.
In each liter, which is equivalent to about 4 cups, they found 110,000 to 370,000 particles.
Microplastics are small plastic pieces that range in size from 1 micron to 5 millimeters in diameter.
For perspective, human hair ranges from 50 to 120 microns wide, LaChance said.
Its not size that matters.
Its the numbers, because the smaller things are, the more easily they can get inside us.
Are These Plastics Harmful to Your Health?
The absence of that evidence doesnt mean that its a risk-free endeavor.
These chemicals are so harmful because they areendocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Can You Filter Plastic Particles Out of Water?
There isnt much you’ve got the option to do to get rid of them at that point.
Pouring it into a glass or another bottle will not help, said LaChance.
Filtration can help, but not all filters remove microplastics, and only a few remove nanoplastics.
Filters are usually classified by the size of particle they can remove, said LaChance.
For example, a 5-micron filter will remove microplastics that are 5 microns and larger, but nothing smaller.
External factors, such as temperature, can also influence the quantity of plastic particles present in bottled water.
This includes:
There are so many ways to avoid plastics!
To minimize exposure, experts recommend avoiding plastic altogetheras much as possible.
Beverage Marketing Corporation.Bottled water volume growth slows in 2022, data from Beverage Marketing Corporation show.
2024;121(3):e2300582121.
doi:10.1073/pnas.2300582121
National Ocean Service.What are microplastics?
Environmental Protection Agency.Questions and answers: drinking water health advisories for PFOA, PFOS, GenX chemicals and PFBS.
