We already know bottled water has a devastating impact on the environment. (And a random water bottle also made a pretty unwelcome appearance in the Game of Thrones series finale, but we digress.) New research suggests something even worse, though. Apparently, people who drink mostly bottled water ingest a significant amount of plastic particles.
Moreover, a study published today in the Environmental Science & Technology journal claims the average American drinks and eats between 39,000 and 52,000 tiny pieces of plastic each year. The numbers jump to anywhere from 74,000 to 121,000 when you account for the very air we breathe.
Those statistics are troubling enough on their own.
But those of us who are especially devoted to bottled water might want to sit down. People who drink water from only bottled sources may take in an additional 90,000 microplastics every year. Those who drink tap water, however, only ingest an additional 4,000 microplastics. What’s more, researchers still aren’t completely sure how all of the plastic consumption affects our health.
This is enough to make you want to swear off bottled water forever.
Previous studies demonstrate that microplastics tend to find their way into food and beverages during the production and packaging processes. Certain animals also ingest a surprising amount of plastic particles. When those animals go to meat-processing plants, the plastic they ate also ends up in our food.
Researchers realized this after analyzing the amount of plastic particles in eight categories: air, alcohol, bottled water, honey, seafood, salt, sugar, and tap water.
Government data helped estimate Americans’ average plastic consumption based on those categories.
The results weren’t conclusive, however.
And most food and drink types — including meat and vegetables — have yet to be tested. Consequently, the study only evaluated 15% of consumers’ calorie intake.
Surprisingly, social media reactions to the study were pretty tepid (no pun intended).
Is it though?
That’s not a bad idea, David.
Leandra has a good point — tap water has had its share of scary stuff, too.
We guess that’s one way to look at it?
There may be a little sarcasm here…
Of course not. We have been eating poison our whole life. It doesn’t matter to add another few drop of poison over our drinks. Does it?
— Chamara (@CNadeeshantha) June 1, 2019
Regardless of the lukewarm response (these water puns just write themselves), the study’s results could provide added motivation to keep reducing our bottled water consumption.
For starters, buy yourself a reusable water bottle.
Opt for BPA-free if you’re going plastic.
You should also invest in a water filter to reduce contaminants in your tap water.
Not worried about ingesting plastic?
It’s still time to put an end to bottled water once and for all. Think of the future.
It’s the least we can do for the planet, right?
