Bottled water drinkers ingest 90,000 more microplastic particles each year, study finds
Experts issue health warning over effects of bottled water
- A new review found that people who drink bottled water ingest approximately 90,000 more microplastic particles annually than those who drink tap water, who ingest about 4,000 particles a year.
- On average, individuals ingest between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles annually, with plastic bottles releasing these particles during manufacturing, storage, and breakdown.
- Microplastics are known to enter the bloodstream and vital organs, potentially leading to chronic inflammation, respiratory issues, hormonal disruption, neurological damage, and various cancers, though long-term effects remain poorly understood.
- Researchers from Concordia University, whose review was published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, are calling for urgent regulatory measures and standardised global testing methods for microplastics.
- The review highlights the need to transition from single-use plastics to sustainable, long-term water access solutions and improve water infrastructure to reduce reliance on bottled water.