You pick up a bottle of water and think it is the cleanest and safest choice, right? But here is a surprise: bottled water also holds hidden dangers. One of these hidden dangers is nanoplastics. These are very small plastic particles that you can’t see, but they can affect your health. In fact, scientists have found nanoplastics in bottled water, which can cause long-term health problems. Sounds scary? Don’t worry, I will explain it for you in simple terms.
Let us find out what these tiny plastics are. Let us learn how they get into your bottled water. Find out what you can do to protect yourself from them.
What Are Nanoplastics?
Nanoplastics are incredibly tiny pieces of plastic, so small you would need a microscope to see them. They are less than 100 nanometers in size. To give you an idea, a strand of human hair is about 80,000 nanometers thick. These particles are much smaller than that.
Nanoplastics come from larger pieces of plastic that break down over time. You will find them in everyday items like plastic bags, containers, and, unfortunately, water bottles. When plastic bottles are left in the sun, they can break down into tiny plastic pieces. These pieces get into the water you drink.
How Do Nanoplastics Get into Bottled Water?
These tiny particles get into your bottled water in one of two ways:
- From the bottles themselves: The plastic that water bottles are made of begins to degrade. This degradation releases nanoplastics into the water. This happens mainly if the bottle is in direct sunlight. It also occurs if the bottle is heated in water for some time.
- During bottling: Even before bottled water is made, nanoplastics can contaminate water during the bottling process. Some machines are used to package water. These machines can release tiny plastic particles into the water before the cap is closed.
Incredibly, there is strong evidence that bottled water has more nanoplastics than tap water. You assume bottled water is cleaner; nevertheless, you will find it exposes you to more plastic particles.
“In every drop of water, there’s a story of life… or of pollution.” — Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Health Risks of Drinking Nanoplastics
This would be really confusing, and you would be thinking, “Well, no big deal, I can’t see them.” Well, as we have already seen, although these are called nanoplastics, they are only a few nanometers in diameter. Still, they can affect your health to a great extent. Some studies have indicated that when you drink water containing nanoplastics, they pass through the blood vessels. Then, they circulate to other parts of the body, including the liver, kidneys, and lungs.
Researchers are yet to find out the extent of their effects. According to studies, nanoplastics can cause inflammation. They can also cause cell death and hormonal disruption. There are other potential effects besides these. They do not give you an immediate illness that requires a doctor. Still, they can eventually give you endless health problems.
How Nanoplastics Affect Your Body
Here’s how these tiny invaders can harm your body:
- Inflammation: Once nanoplastics enter your body, the body’s defense mechanism can recognize them as toxic, resulting in an inflammatory response. Nonetheless, in the long term, inflammation is involved in chronic diseases.
- Cell damage: Nanoplastics have the potential to interfere with many cellular functions. Some types of plastic use chemicals. For example, BPA is known to disrupt hormones and increase the risk of developing certain diseases.
- Weakened immune system: These particles can accumulate in your body over time. They can reduce the capabilities of the immune system. This reduction puts the body at risk of infections.
Do you need to worry?
If you are drinking bottled water every day, chances are you are consuming more nanoplastics than you think. While this is not significant right now, the long-term effects are worrisome. The biggest concern is how these plastics accumulate in your body over time. As more research comes to light, scientists are starting to understand just how dangerous this can be to our health.
How to Avoid Nanoplastics in Your Water
Do not panic! There are some simple ways to reduce exposure to nanoplastics in water. Here are some easy steps you can take:
- Drink Tap Water: Believe it or not, in many areas, tap water is just as clean as bottled water. Installing a water filter at home can help make sure that your tap water is free of contaminants, including nanoplastics.
- Use Reusable Bottles: Skip plastic water bottles and use reusable bottles made of glass or stainless steel. These materials don’t break down like plastic, so they won’t release harmful particles into your water.
- Don’t Reuse Plastic Bottles: Reusing plastic bottles can make them break down faster, especially if they are exposed to heat. Use single-use bottles if you need to or, better yet, reusable bottles.
- Store Bottled Water Properly: If you buy bottled water, keep it in a cool, dry place. Heat and sunlight speed up the breakdown of plastic, which means there will be more nanoplastics in your water.
What Are the Safer Alternatives?
Luckily, you have plenty of options that don’t use plastic bottles. Here are some great alternatives:
- Filtered Tap Water: With a good water filter, you can enjoy clean, safe drinking water from your tap.
- Glass Bottles: Glass does not break like plastic, making it a safer choice for carrying water.
- Stainless Steel Bottles: They’re durable, easy to clean, and completely plastic-free.
The Future of Nanoplastics Research
Researchers are still trying to learn the full impact of nanoplastics on our health. As they learn more, we will see new rules and regulations for bottled water and plastic use. The good news is that by becoming aware of this issue now, you can take steps to protect yourself.
Conclusion
At first glance, drinking water in a bottle is a perfect solution, but it also carries some risks. Nanoplastics are particles that can make their way into your water supply, and they harm your health one day. Needless to say, you can avoid exposure to such harmful particles by changing small habits. Drink filtered tap water or use reusable bottles to reduce risk. It’s a bit tricky, but small changes can often be beneficial. Replacing plastic can help both the body and the earth.
