New Study Finds Hundreds of Thousands of Nanoplastics in Bottled Water
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A Columbia University study using new laser-guided technology has found an average of 240,000 nanoplastic particles per liter in three bottled water brands. This is a significant increase from previous estimates and reveals a more diverse mix of plastic types than expected. While the health effects on humans are not yet fully understood, researchers note these particles have been found in human tissues and blood.
Facts First
- A new study found an average of 240,000 nanoplastic particles per liter in three bottled water brands.
- The study used advanced laser-guided technology to detect, count, and analyze the chemical structure of nanoparticles.
- Researchers identified seven major types of plastic in the water, not just the PET from the bottle itself.
- Nanoplastics have been found in human tissues including placenta, lung, feces, and blood, according to a study co-author.
- Municipal tap water in the U.S. is regularly tested and considered safe, with one study finding it contains fewer microplastics.
What Happened
A study found an average of 240,000 nanoplastic particles per liter across three studied bottled water brands. Researchers from Columbia University used new laser-guided technology to detect, count, and analyze the chemical structure of these nanoparticles. The study identified seven major types of plastic: polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This finding represents a dramatic increase from a 2018 study that found approximately 300 plastic particles per liter.
Why this Matters to You
If you regularly drink bottled water, you may be consuming hundreds of thousands of tiny plastic particles with each liter. While the direct health effects on humans are not yet fully understood, research on animals and lab cells suggests nanoplastics can impact various organs and systems. Exposure to high quantities may affect a cell's immune function, cause inflammation, and potentially increase the risk of some types of cancer. These particles are so small they cannot be seen by a microscope and can act as carriers for other harmful compounds like pollutants or toxins. For those concerned, municipal tap water in the vast majority of the U.S. is tested regularly and is considered safe to drink, and one study found it contains three times fewer microplastics than bottled water.
What's Next
More research is likely needed to understand the specific health implications for humans, as very little research to date has looked specifically at humans regarding nanoplastics. The new detection technology could enable more widespread testing of food and beverage products. Consumers may become more aware of the plastic content in bottled water, which could influence purchasing decisions in a market where Americans are consuming more bottled water than ever.