The recent discovery of the poisoning of bottled water by plastic microparticles has caused mild panic among people. A new study has wanted to verify to what extent this is a significant risk to health .
Research, carried out by Orb Median (a global consortium of journalists) shows that 93% of 259 bottles tested contained microplastics . These averaged 10 particles wider than 100 microns, or what is the same, approximately the width of a human hair per liter of water .
The bottles used for the research were bought in cities on different continents, except in Europe. Sherri Mason, from the State University of New York and author of the work, found that 54% of these particles were polypropylene (the plastic from which bottle caps are made), suggesting that the caps may have been the source of the plastic particles. On the other hand, around 4% were industrial lubricants , indicating that the water contamination had occurred in the factory.
Even smaller particles were found, an average of 325 of these per liter. However, some of the samples contained a much higher index. Given their small size, it has not been possible to verify 100% that they are microplastics, although everything indicates that they are. These represented 95% of all the particles found , and range in size from 6.5 to 100 microns .
With these results, the importance of ingesting these substances arises. According to Richard Thompson of the UK’s International Marine Debris Research Unit, ” there is no clear evidence on the risks to human health. ” The scientist points out that everything depends on the amount to which we are exposed . It ensures that the amounts of particles in bottled water are most likely minimal compared to other sources , such as dust particles and textile fibers in the air, or in foods such as shellfish and crustaceans, which directly absorb the particles from the sea.
A study on microplastics in fish and shellfish by the Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that the risks to shellfish consumers are likely minimal, but warrant further investigation. The results showed that more than 90% of ingested micro and nanoplastics end up being expelled through the feces . Only those less than 20 microns wide appear to have more potential to pass through the blood and accumulate in organs, but it is unknown if this is harmful. Only in large (almost unreal) doses would there be signs of concern for liver inflammation and immunosuppression, something that has not occurred in humans so far.
The study assures that the risk to fish is small because microplastics are probably only found in their guts, which are removed before we consume them, and exposure would be minimal from shellfish consumed in its entirety.
Thompson doubts there is any reason to panic over the bottled water finds. In addition, it ensures that, considering the high quality of tap water, it is unnecessary to consume so much bottled water in western areas. According to him, it is more worrying to think about the environmental impact caused by producing and transporting something that is not really needed.
