A new study published in the *Journal of Hazardous Materials* has raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with bottled water consumption, revealing that regular users ingest significantly more microplastics than those who primarily drink tap water. The research, conducted by scientists at Concordia University in Montreal, found that individuals who drink bottled water regularly consume up to 90,000 more microplastic particles per year compared to tap water users.
The study, which analyzed 141 existing scientific papers on microplastics and nanoplastics in single-use plastic water bottles, found that the average person consumes 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles annually. However, individuals who drink bottled water regularly ingest up to 90,000 more particles than those who primarily consume tap water. The researchers noted that nanoplastics, which are smaller than 1 micron, pose a unique risk due to their ability to enter human cells, cross biological barriers, and potentially reach organs and tissues.
While the study highlights the potential dangers of microplastics, it also acknowledges the need for further research and standardized testing methods to better understand the long-term health impacts. The researchers called for stronger policies to address the contamination of plastics in bottled water, emphasizing that the issue is not about acute toxicity but rather chronic toxicity associated with long-term exposure.
In response, the International Bottled Water Association and the FDA have issued statements acknowledging the presence of microplastics in the environment and expressing a commitment to further research on the potential health effects. The FDA has stated that current scientific evidence does not demonstrate that levels of microplastics or nanoplastics detected in foods pose a risk to human health, while the bottled water industry has pledged to continue monitoring and advancing research on the topic.