People Who Drink Bottled Water on a Daily Basis Ingest 90,000 More Microplastic Particles Each Year

"Thus, as a doctoral student at Concordia University in Canada, Sajedi reviewed over 140 scientific papers to determine the effects of plastic bottles on the human body. She found that people ingest an average of 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles per year from food and drinking water, and those who use bottled water on a daily basis ingest nearly 90,000 more microplastic particles into their bodies. "Drinking water from plastic bottles is fine in an emergency, but it is not something that should be used in daily life," Sajedi explains. "Even if there are no immediate effects on the human body, we need to understand the potential for chronic harm.""

"Microplastics are plastic particles ranging in size from 1 micrometer (1/1,000 of a millimeter) to 5 mm. Nanoplastics are even smaller, less than one micrometer. These particles are invisible to the naked eye, but are constantly being generated during the manufacturing, storage, transportation, and decomposition of bottles. Low-quality plastics, in particular, are prone to release microscopic debris due to sunlight, temperature changes, and physical manipulation. Unlike other plastic particles that enter the body through the food chain, those derived from plastic bottles are of concern because they are ingested directly with drinking water."

Sarah Sajedi visited Phi Phi Island and found white sandy beaches covered with plastic bottle debris. She moved from the business world into research and reviewed over 140 scientific papers to assess the effects of plastic bottles on human health. Evidence shows people ingest about 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles annually from food and drinking water, with daily bottled-water users ingesting nearly 90,000 additional particles. Drinking water from plastic bottles is acceptable in emergencies but not for daily use because of potential chronic harm. Microplastics and nanoplastics are generated during manufacture and breakdown of bottles and can be ingested directly with drinking water. Microscopic plastics can enter the bloodstream and reach vital organs.

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