Hazardous Levels of Microplastics Found in Bottled Water
Marie Donlon | July 09, 2018Following on the heels of related studies concerning microplastics is research from the State University of New York at Fredonia, asserting that the amount of microplastics found in bottled water is hazardous to human health.
The research team examined almost 260 bottles of water from 11 different companies and nine different countries. To determine microplastic levels, the team added red dye to each water bottle where the dye would cling to any plastic that might be present in the bottled water. During this examination, the team found that in almost each liter of water, an average of 10.4 plastic particles were present.
While some unnamed brands contained no microplastics at all, the team found that in just one liter of bottled water from Nestle Pure Life there were an estimated 10,000 plastic pieces.
While it is universally understood that plastic waste clutters the eco-system and affects waterways and wildlife alike, little research has been devoted to how the presence of plastic waste impacts human health.
However, according to related studies where researchers determined that the presence of microplastics have changed the behavior and hormone levels of fish, the impact of microplastics on human health is likely as harmful.
Considering that the study revealed dangerous levels of microplastics hidden in bottled water, the World Health Organization has been spurred to action and is now investigating the hazards of human microplastic consumption.
" . . . little research has been devoted to how the presence of plastic waste impacts human health."
How does this support the headline?
In reply to #1
It doesn't disprove the headline either.. "little research" does not mean "no" research, and it is a relative term anyways.. little research compared with other topics that have been researched for thousands of years..
I found this in 5 minutes on Google..
https://www.subsport
In reply to #2
The headline 'screams' then the body of text 'tempers'.
In reply to #3
Good point. Just responded the way I did because I personally believe plastics are a huge problem; there are documentaries out there explaining the health effects in detail. I suppose more research needs to be done to get to the bottom, but by the time that research is complete it may be "too late". I personally believe there's more than enough evidence to warrant a proceed with caution "until proven innocent" approach.
In reply to #6
Hence all the talk of de-carbonization. Don't take any chances, no matter what the cost.
Plastics aren't a huge problem, trash disposal in developing nations is a huge problem. When Starbucks stops providing plastic straws, that won't have any measurable effect on the plastics-in-the-ocea
The Italian man dressed like an American Indian with the tear running down his cheek at the side of a littered road addressed a root cause. Anybody alive and watching TV in the U.S. back in the 70's knows exactly what I am talking about.
I certainly don't like seeing plastics littering our oceans and beaches, but we have to have the will to identify the real problem.
In reply to #1
It's human greed, which is destroying everything including ecosystem.
From metal age we progressed to plastic age, which has its advantages and disadvantages.
In reply to #4
What about animal greed? Do animals think about preserving their ecosystems?
In reply to #5
Animals don't have "greed" in the way humans do. They can be selfish but ultimately for the most part they strive to survive and that's it. What other animal builds giant mansions and harvest oil from the earth and dump garbage all over? Then again maybe more animals would if they had larger brains and opposable thumbs -- with great power comes great responsibility.
In reply to #7
I won't disagree, but people mistakenly think animals are somehow altruistic. There is a certain herd or community behavior in certain animals that help ensure their survival, and many animals will have empathy in certain scenarios.