Scientists make alarming discovery about health impact of drinking bottled water — here's what you need to know

As more plastic waste is being released into the environment, microplastics in drinking water and food are being ingested by humans, causing damage to internal organs after being absorbed through the digestive system. That's most notably occurring in the kidneys, as found in a study published by Communications Biology. 

What's happening?

The study has found that microplastics — tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in length — are the primary carriers of the environmental pollutant Benzo[a]pyrene into the body. The specific pathways are not fully understood, but there is evidence that BaP is being absorbed primarily through the intestines after oral ingestion, posing health risks. 

The peer-reviewed study found that bottled water is the main source of microplastics, doing damage to the intestinal wall and kidneys and causing systemic inflammation. 

Why are microplastics in the environment an issue?

Microplastics in the environment are causing a big problem since they are nearly impossible to clean up because of their tiny size. They have been found in the stomachs of humans and animals, as well as in the air, soil, tap water, food, and drinks. They are also accumulating in our oceans, causing damage to coral reefs and oceanic ecosystems. The effects of microplastics are still being studied, so we don't yet know the full extent of the potential risks to the environment or human health. 

Since microplastics are not found in nature and are manufactured by humans, they cannot be broken down by organisms.

In a statement to The Cool Down, a representative for the International Bottled Water Association disputed the study's findings: "Very importantly, this article is based on a study stating that polystyrene microplastic particles are carriers of Benzo[a]pyrene (BAP) into living organisms," they wrote. "However, bottled water containers are not made using polystyrene.

"In addition, FDA has a Standard of Quality (SOQ) for BAP of 0.2 ug/L in bottled water. The concentration of BAP used in the study was 4 ug/L, which is 20 times more than the FDA limit for bottled water. There is also an EPA MCL [maximum contaminant level] of 0.2 ug/l for tap water."

The spokesperson also said that "with the high rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in our on-the-go society, bottled water provides a safe, healthy, and convenient beverage choice" and that "discouraging people from choosing this healthy drink option is not in the public interest."

That said, while the IBWA's concerns with the study's methodology bear mentioning, plastic bottles of soda or other drinks are equally likely to cause microplastic exposure as water bottles. This is especially concerning when and if the bottle gets hot, such as when left in a hot car, as the Today Show covered. Plastic bottles of all kinds also equally contribute to global pollution problems, as plastic can generally only be recycled one or two times before it degrades too much, while aluminum and glass are infinitely recyclable.

Glass is generally the safest choice for avoiding contamination, as it is highly inert, and many aluminum bottles and cans are lined with plastic of some kind, even if they would still feature much less plastic than plastic bottles. Of course, better than all of the above is using a reusable water bottle.

What can we do to help reduce microplastics in the environment?

By reducing plastic use and recycling properly, we can reduce the amount of microplastics being released into the environment. 

Investing in a reusable water bottle rather than purchasing single-use plastics and using reusable containers rather than disposable bags is a simple way to reduce your use of plastics that break down into microplastics. You can also ditch plastic grocery bags and instead use reusable bags when you shop. You can also support brands that use plastic-free packaging.

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Properly recycling plastics is also critical to keeping them out of the environment, where they can be broken down into microplastics that we can breathe and ingest.

Scientists are working on solutions to the problem of microplastics in the environment. A filter called bioCap seems to offer promising results and is in development.

Though we don't yet know the full ramifications of microplastics in the environment, by taking small steps as individuals, we can help reduce the risk.

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