One of the biggest problems today is microplastics. This plastic particlesThey are found everywhere, from beaches to the bottled water we drink. Although they are harmful to the environment, they also have terrifying consequences for humans. According to researchers for the brain, immune system, reproductive system and nervous system They can cause damage. Moreover to cancer It is also said why they happen.

via PNAS published A new study shows that this particle problem is much worse than known. The one-liter water bottles we consume every day contain 100 times more plastic particles than expected, research shows.

240,000 nanoplastics found in one liter of bottled water

Experts used a new technique to find plastic particles between 50 and 100 nanometers, which are about the size of a virus. The study examined samples of 1-liter water bottles. Let’s note that microplastics is the name given to particles of 5 millimeters and smaller. The particles discovered here are much smaller, sonanoplasticIt is called “.

Until now, researchers have not found fast and efficient techniques to identify nanoplastics. This made research into both environmental and health effects difficult. This is exactly where the new study came into play. Wei Min, one of the writers, said: ““We have opened the doors to a whole new world.” he said.

The research shows that only one liter water bottle on average 240 thousand nanoplastics reaches. The fact that there are a quarter of a million in bottles is greater than expected. 10 to 100 times more It means they are.

Many types of harmful nanoplastics were found in bottles

In the study, scientists from Rutgers and Columbia Universities in the US mixed bottled water from three different brands with a very thin layer. they filtered. We then used tests to identify the chemicals that bind nanoplastics to the vials. two lasers They kept it. Then all that remained was to determine the amount of particles and the terrible result was achieved.

In addition to all this, they were also able to distinguish between types of nanoplastics. Interestingly, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which makes up the majority of the bottles, was recovered in smaller numbers than expected. Instead of polystyrene Harmful substances as found. It was stated that these could have entered the bottles during the bottling or refining process.

Ultimately, the study is yet another indication that plastic particles are now everywhere and that the situation needs to be taken seriously. In previous years, we even saw microplastics circulating in human blood for the first time.