We’ve heard, previously, that Bottled Water may not be all it’s cracked up to be, and some ‘Spring Water’ may not actually be from a natural spring. But now, after extensive testing, researchers have discovered that the plastic bottle it comes in may be more dangerous than the Water itself…
The squiggly coloured thing in the centre of the image is a large microplastic particle found in Bottled Water. We’re not sure, yet, how these little devils may affect your health…
A new study reveals that virtually all Bottled Water contains plastic particles which could be damaging to your health in a number of ways. The study looked at 250 bottles of Water from 11 brands collected in 19 countries around the world – from the cheapest names to premium brands including Evian, San Pellegrino, Aquafina and Nestle Pure Life. Tests were run by scientists at State University of New York on behalf of Orb Media, a non-profit public Interest journalism foundation. The results were shocking.
Tests revealed large particles – on average more than 10 per litre – of plastics including polypropylene, nylon, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Smaller particles numbered more than 300 per litre world-wide. Large particles were defined as those larger than 0.1 micron, or 1/10 of a millimetre. Some were as large or larger than the thickness of a human hair. The worst samples tested contained in excess of 10,000 plastic particles per litre. It’s thought that the particles are a byproduct of the Plastic Bottle manufacturing process.
It’s not known exactly what kinds of damage small plastic particles can do to your digestive tract, but one can imagine them irritating stomach and intestinal linings and, over long term repeated exposure, triggering inflammation and possibly even infections, or worse. Think of the effects of airborne Talc and Asbestos particles on your lungs… But that’s just me speculating (and dreading the worst). Science has yet to tell us exactly what microplastic particles will do to our innards.
What can we do?
Obviously, stop drinking bottled Water.
But that’s not an option for an estimated 2.1 billion people worldwide who lack access to safe tap water, according to the World Health Organization. Who also estimates that, in spite of clean water programmes, 4,000 children die every day from Water-borne diseases.
But we, in the developed world, have the option of drinking clean water. And the experts say it’s a very healthy option. Drinking Water standards are closely regulated, and mineral and bacteria levels are closely monitored.
Here in Ottawa – my town – the Water Works people actually inform local hospitals when sodium levels rise beyond a certain point in the tap Water. Who really knows what minerals are in Bottled Water? Some Spring Water has been found to contain things like Arsenic and Lead.
Okay, I may be biased…
My dad was a Water Works employee for over 30 years back when I grew up, In Mississauga. He was proud of the product he and his guys pumped out. And I’ve always been proud of him for his dedicated contribution to the health and safety of our community.
Bottom line:
The World Health Organization has ordered a new review of the health effects of plastic particles in Drinking Water – including Bottled Water and Tap Water – after reading the Orb Media exposée.
Remember: Bottled Water promoters who claim tap water is bad for you are just trying to sway you to their product. Truth is, Tap Water is probably better for you than Bottled Water, for any number of reasons…
~ Maggie J.