How much plastic is there in your packaged water?

How much plastic is there in your packaged water?

Context

A worldwide study by Orb Media, a U.S.-based journalistic organisation

Results of the study

The study has found out that,

• A single bottle can hold dozens, or possibly even thousands, of microscopic plastic particles
• Contamination: Tests on more than 250 bottles from 11 brands reveal contamination with plastic, including polypropylene, nylon, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

Why purity of packaged water is important?

Packaged water can be a lifeline for many of the 2.1 billion people worldwide with unsafe drinking water. Some 4,000 children die every day from water-borne diseases, according to the United Nations

Last year, Orb Media revealed microscopic plastic in global tap water samples

Microplastic pollution

Recent studies have found microplastic — particles smaller than 5 mm — in the oceans, soil, air, lakes, and rivers

Are there any reasons for concern?

• Based on current knowledge, which is very fragmentary and incomplete, there is little health concern. The human body is well-adapted to dealing with non-digestible particles
• As much as 90% of microplastic that is consumed might be excreted, a 2016 European Union report on plastic in seafood said
• Of the other 10%, some plastic under 150 microns (0.15 mm) could enter the gut’s lymphatic system, or pass from the bloodstream to the kidneys or liver, according the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. The present bottled water study found plastic within that range