39 Plastics in Our Water
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Bottled Water versus Tap Water
In recent years, a growing debate has emerged over whether bottled water or tap water is the better choice for consumers. The global consumption of bottled water is increasing by an average of ten percent every year. The United States being the largest consumer market for bottled water (Hu et al., 2011). Many individuals prefer bottled water over tap water because it is convenient, they also believe it is safer to drink and has a better taste. However, scientific studies have shown that may not be completely true. (AMM)
A study conducted in Cleveland, Ohio showed that only five percent of bottled water purchased locally has the required fluoride recommended by the state. Meanwhile one hundred percent of the sampled tap water in the same areas met the state’s requirements (Hu et al., 2011). Plastic bottled water also presents a number of environmental and social concerns. When plastic bottles are not recycled properly, they are a significant waste problem contributing to landfill overload. Another issue that people tend to forget about is the negative impact of that the water bottling plants have on the environment. These plants can cause stress on our ecosystems by taking too much water from local groundwater aquifers, streams, and lakes (Hu et al., 2011). (AMM)
As previously stated, the United States is the largest consumer of bottled water in the world, with nearly eighty-five million bottles per day and more than thirty billion bottles of water being consumed every year (Hu et al., 2011). The consumption of bottled water in the United States is driven by numerous factors. According to Hu et al. (2011), one main reason people tend to choose bottled water over tap water is because they perceive tap water to be unsafe to drink. This perception is often influenced by their assessment of local water quality. Another factor that influences consumers to drink bottled water is the type of supply system being used. Some individuals live in areas with smaller water systems, which often struggle to meet federal standards due to financial and infrastructural limitations. Socio-economic status factors, including the excessive cost of bottled water as well as gender and education differences, also play a crucial role when it comes to varying perceptions of environmental risks. Regional differences can also influence bottled water versus tap water consumption. For example, studies have shown higher per capita bottled water consumption in the pacific region compared to other parts of the United States (Hu et al., 2011). (AMM)
Nanoplastics
In addition to these environmental impacts, there is growing concern about the presence of nanoplastics in our water sources. Nanoplastics, which are tiny plastic particles, can be found in both bottled and tap water. These particles pose potential health risks and environmental challenges, making it crucial to understand their implications. (AMM)
A common issue when it comes to discussing plastics in drinking water is microplastics. According to Vicki Contie at National Institutes of Health (NIH), microplastics are formed when plastics break down over time, into pieces that are 5 millimeters or less in length. Microplastics can then break down even further into nanoplastics, which are less than 1 nanometer in size. Nanoplastics are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. However, they are small enough to enter the body’s cells and tissues undetected. Researchers have found evidence of these tiny plastic particles in human blood, lungs, guts, feces, and reproductive tissues like the placenta and testes. Both microplastics and nanoplastics have already been reported in human environments, foods, air, and so much more. Drinking water, specifically bottled water, is one particular concern as one of the inevitable exposure pathways (Contie, 2024). (AMM)
In January of 2024, researchers found that on average a liter of bottled water included about 240,000 tiny pieces of plastic particles. The majority of the plastic fragments found were nanoplastics. This total is reported to be ten to one hundred times more plastic particles than seen in earlier studies, which have primarily focused on larger microplastics. Due to this newfound evidence, in addition to the fact that nanoplastics can enter the body undetected and stay longer in vivo, an increasing number of researchers have redirected their focus from microplastics to nanoplastics (Contie, 2024). (AMM)
Nanoplastics are found in multiple types of drinking water including tap water and bottled water. However, bottled water is still a primary concern when it comes to exposure to nanoplastics because bottles of water contain all seven types of plastics. The most common plastics being polyamide, which is often used to help filter water and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is used to make the bottles. Some of the other plastics identified in the screenings included polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl, and polystyrene (Contie, 2024). (AMM)
Although nanoplastics have a greater impact on bottled water, nanoplastics are still present in other sources of drinking water. For example, in tap water, nanoplastics can enter municipal water supplies through plastic pipes, industrial pollution, and wastewater runoff (Keerthana Devi et al., 2022). As mentioned in Contie’s article (2024), nanoplastics can also be found in filtration materials; this is because some water filtration systems use plastic-based materials, such as polyamide in water filters, which can release nanoplastics into the drinking water. Another major source of nanoplastic contamination in drinking water is environmental contamination. Plastics from landfills, industrial waste, and littering can break down over time resulting in particles being released into bodies of water, including lakes, rivers, and oceans. (AMM)
Since nanoplastic exposure is a relatively new topic, there is limited research available about the possible health impacts of consuming nanoplastics. The current research that has been completed yields mixed results, but there is some evidence that consumption of nanoplastics may be negatively affecting human health. According to UCLA Health (2024), studies conducted on animals and cells in a lab indicate that nanoplastics can affect various organs and systems throughout the body. Elevated levels of exposure may also impair immune function and cause inflammation. In addition to those health effects, some evidence shows that nanoplastics might increase the risk of certain cancers by altering cell function. However, it is important to remember that most research has not looked specifically at humans, so results may not be completely relevant to human health. (AMM)
Even though the health effects of nanoplastics on humans are incomplete, nanoplastics have been proven to have adverse impacts on both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. This is partially because nanoplastics have a natural tendency to spread across the environment and pose threats to all organisms. (Keerthana Devi et al., 2022). Due to their extremely small size, nanoplastics are difficult to detect, remove or filter out from water, making their elimination from the environment nearly impossible once released. However, there are still some practical strategies that can help reduce human and environmental exposure to these particles. (AMM)
Reducing Exposure to Nanoplastics
Although it can be difficult to remove all traces of nanoplastics in drinking water, there are certain methods that are suitable for reducing exposure. One of the most important steps to take is using water filters, specifically high-quality water filters that are certified to remove both microplastics and nanoplastics. Another simple way to reduce exposure is by limiting the use of single-use plastic, specifically bottled water. Since bottled water contains such a high number of nanoplastics, the best way to ensure limited exposure is to cut out bottled water consumption completely. Another example of limiting exposure would be trying to avoid using anything else made of plastic, like plastic containers. According to UCLA Health (2024), it is best to use glass or stainless-steel containers, or at least BPA-free reusable containers instead of the traditional plastic ones. However, if plastic containers are being used, avoid heating any food or drinks in those containers, since the heat will allow more nanoplastic particles to get into the food or drink. (AMM)
Another important exposure tactic is to make sure individuals are contributing to proper waste management. This includes recycling plastics properly and supporting policies that reduce the overall plastic pollution. This is used as a method to limit any further environmental contamination. Lastly, it is crucial to stay informed and keep up to date with any new research involving nanoplastics and their health effects in order to make informed choices about water consumption.
As far as regulatory considerations go, there are policies in place regarding plastics in drinking water. However, there are currently no official thresholds for nanoplastics in drinking water set by any of the major health and environmental agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or the World Health Organization (WHO). As previously stated, most existing plastic regulations regarding drinking water neglect nanoplastics, but researchers are pushing for nanoplastics to be included in the future policies due to the shown increase in potential human health risks. Staying informed can protect both our health and our environment. (AMM)