A new study shows that water bottles may contain much more microplastic fragments than previously estimated. Bottled water contains 100 times more microplastics than previously thought, according to a new study. The study concluded that there are 2,40,000 pieces of plastic. About 90 percent of these tiny plastic bits of nanoplastics end up in human cells and tissues.
Scientists at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Laboratory studied water samples from three popular brands using an advanced imaging technology called SRS microscopy. Hundreds of thousands of pieces of plastic were found in a liter of water.
Research on the effects of plastic on human health is not extensive. Scientists are beginning to recognize the presence of plastic in people’s bodies and organs.
Microplastics enter the bloodstream and cause digestive problems, inflammation, and disruption of nutrient absorption. It also delays development in children. It can also affect the development of the fetus. It is important to avoid using plastic bottles, lunch boxes or any type of plastic packaging to avoid exposure to microplastics.
According to various studies, microplastics can reach the developing fetus through the mother’s placenta. These chemicals can seriously harm the health of children.
“Even though they’re not that toxic at larger particle sizes, they become toxic when they get smaller. Because they interfere with cells, tissues, organs,” said Beijan Yan, a Columbia environmental chemist and co-author of the study.