It seems anywhere scientists look for plastic, they find it: from the ice in Antarctica, to the first bowel movement produced by newborn babies.
Now, researchers are finding that the amount of microscopic plastics floating in bottled drinking water is far greater than initially believed.
Using sophisticated imaging technology, scientists at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty laboratory examined water samples from three popular brands (they won’t say which ones) and found hundreds of thousands of bits of plastic per liter of water.
Ninety percent of those plastics were small enough to qualify as nanoplastics: microscopic flecks so small that they can be absorbed into human cells and tissue, as well as cross the blood-brain barrier.
The research, which was published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, raises new concerns about the potentially harmful health effects — and prevalence — of nanoplastics. The researchers found that the quantity of such particles was 10 to 100 times greater than previously estimated.
Honest question, hopefully for someone who knows the science: is the entire population actually being poisoned by oils and plastics, or is this sensationalized? Why has it taken so long to discover? Can it be reversed? Shits crazy
Well sperm counts have been halved for some reason. 🤷♀️
MUST BE THE LIBRUL AGENDA
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Yes we are being poisoned no it is not sensationalized. If anything it is underplayed.
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Dunno, probably money.
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Probably not. Sorry.
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A big part of why it is not being taken super seriously is because at our current technology, it would be incredibly expensive to completely remove the microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and other substances in our water supply.
incredibly expensive
I think you misspelled “almost physically impossible.”
How are we getting this stuff out of our lungs, for example?
We’re not, is the answer.
he said water supply not human body why dont you read a little more
Oh wow color me surprised /s
And even if you don’t care about the plastic particles, most bottled water that isn’t just tap water is sourced unethically. Not too mention how these companies, like Danone, Coca-Cola and Nestle, are probably lining politicians pockets to prevent the development of potable tap water in many poor nations. It’s crazy how a country like Indonesia where it rains all the time doesn’t have drinkable tap water.
You’ve heard of microplastics, get ready for its even worse form, nanoplastics
And coming to a water source near you soon, introducing picoplastics, the ultimate way to guarantee that your water tastes awful and will probably give you cancer 😎
Just hear me out: femtoplastics.
They also discovered a macroplastic holding all that water, which best case scenario will gum up nature forever. More likely it kinda sorta degrades into mystery murder material. We need to get rid of these things
But lead is so easy to work with, wait we are doing this again? Humans…
Steel water bottle gang represent!
I don’t know if it was in my mind or not, but the last bit of water in a water bottle always tasted funny to me, so I’d pour out the last sip or so. In my mind, it was all the microplastics that were too heavy to float up higher, lol
I avoid plastic water bottles when I have the option now anyway.
No wonder i cannot stand the taste of water that’s been in a plastic container
