Plastic particles found in bottled water

MIAMI: Bottled water are contaminated with tiny plastic particles that are likely seeping in during the packaging process, according to a study across nine countries published on Wednesday.

“Widespread contamination” with plastic was found in the study, led by microplastic researcher Sherri Mason of the State Univer- sity of New York, according to a summary released by Orb Media, a US-based non-profit media collective.

Researchers tested 250 bottles of water in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Thailand, and the United States.

Plastic was identified in 93% of the samples, which included some from major brands.

The plastic debris included polypropylene, nylon and polyethylene terephthalate, that is used to make bottle caps.

“In this study, 65% of the particles we found were actually fragments and not fibers,” said Mason.

“I think most of the plastic we are seeing is coming from the bottle itself. It is coming from the cap and the process of bottling.”

Particle concentration ranged from “zero to more than 10,000 likely plastic particles in a single bottle,” said the report.

On average, plastic particles in the 100 micron (0.10 millimetre) size range, considered “microplastics”, were found at an average rate of 10.4 plastic particles per litre.

Experts cautioned that the extent of the risk to human health posed by such contamination remains unclear.

“There are connections to certain kinds of cancer, lower sperm count and conditions like ADHD and autism,” said Mason. – AFP