Study Reveals Shocking Levels of Nanoplastics in Bottled Drinking Water
The recent study conducted by researchers from Columbia University and Rutgers University has exposed alarming levels of nanoplastics in bottled drinking water, revealing shocking concentrations of micro-nano plastics. The study utilized cutting-edge technology, a hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) imaging platform with an automated plastic identification algorithm, to identify individual particles as small as 100 to 200 nanometers.
Through this advanced imaging technique, the researchers were able to detect an average of 240,000 detachable plastic fragments per liter of bottled water, with approximately 90% of these particles being nanoplastics. These findings surpass previous reports on microplastic abundance in bottled water and emphasize the urgent need for further investigation into the potential health risks associated with consuming nanoplastic-contaminated water.
How Nanoplastics Are Polluting Our Bottled Water
These minuscule particles are a result of the breakdown of larger plastic materials and can easily contaminate the water during manufacturing or bottling processes. The advanced imaging technology used in the recent study allowed researchers to identify and quantify these nanoplastics at an individual particle level, revealing an average of 240,000 detachable plastic fragments per liter of bottled water.
This evidence highlights the urgent need to address the issue of nanoplastic pollution and its potential impact on human health.
