Bottled Water Revealed to Contain High Levels of Nanoplastics

March 6, 2024

Breaking Down the Nano-sized Plastic Threat in Our Drinking Water

In a groundbreaking discovery, Columbia University scientists have unveiled a previously hidden threat lurking in our bottled water: nanoplastics. Utilizing a sophisticated microscopy technique and machine learning, researchers detected substantially higher quantities of these tiny pollutants than ever before. This revelation raises concerning questions about the implications of nanoplastic consumption on human health and underscores the urgent need for actionable solutions to mitigate plastic pollution.

Read the full story here: Bottled water hosts many thousands of nano-sized plastic bits

Highlights

• Scientists developed a novel method to detect nanoplastics in bottled water, uncovering larger quantities than previously identified.
• Stimulated Raman scattering microscopy combined with machine learning was used to identify seven types of common plastics in the water.
• The newfound method unveiled 10 to 100 times more nanoplastics in bottled water compared to earlier studies focused on microplastics.
• Nanoplastics’ potential health risks are a growing concern. Being nano-sized, they can enter the bloodstream and reach cells everywhere in the body.
• Criticism exists around the new method's accuracy, stressing the need for standardized testing of nanoplastics.
• Preventive measures are suggested, such as using activated-charcoal filters and opting for tap water over bottled water to reduce nanoplastic exposure.

Bottled water is under scrutiny after scientists at Columbia University developed a method that identified an alarmingly high number of nanoplastic particles. These particles, smaller than ever previously detected, signal a significant escalation in the plastic pollution debate. The collaboration between an environmental-exposure scientist and a physical chemist led to the utilization of stimulated Raman scattering microscopy and machine learning to detect up to 100 times more nanoplastics than previous studies suggested.

The team's research not only revealed the sheer quantity of nanoplastic particles in bottled water but also categorized them into seven types of common plastics, a feat not previously possible. The contribution of this study lays groundwork in the field of environmental health by providing a futuristic method capable of detecting contaminants that are beyond the reach of conventional methods. However, the research has ignited a discourse on the methodology's accuracy, standardization, and potential for false positives, highlighting the hurdles ahead for the scientific community.

Beyond the methodology and its criticism, the study presents a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of plastic pollution and its potential health risks. Nanoplastics’ ability to enter the bloodstream and impact cells directly poses a yet-to-be fully understood threat. The dialogue extends into actionable advice for the public, suggesting a pivot towards more sustainable practices like using refillable metal water bottles, and highlighting a need for comprehensive policies targeting plastic use reduction.

Read the full article here.

Essential Insights

• Beizhan Yan: An environmental-exposure scientist at Columbia University, who has been studying microplastics and developed a method to identify nanoplastics.
• Wei Min: A physical chemist at Columbia University, collaborated with Yan to use stimulated Raman scattering microscopy in identifying nanoplastics.
• Columbia University: The institution where Yan and Min developed a new method for identifying nanoplastics using sophisticated microscopy.