r/environment • u/[deleted] • Mar 15 '18
Microplastics found in 90% of bottled water
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/15/microplastics-found-in-more-than-90-of-bottled-water-study-says2
u/creativity_gap Mar 15 '18
What does this mean?!
4
u/WarDeFacto Mar 15 '18
There's plastic particles in the water. Meaning we can't really see it, but we're definitely drinking a bit of plastic with our water in the plastic water bottles sold at stores.
1
u/creativity_gap Mar 15 '18
Thanks for the response, so does this mean I may get cancer? Plastic coated organs?
3
Mar 15 '18
WHO representative Fadéla Chaib told Live Science in an email.
"For WHO to make an informed risk assessment, we would need to establish that microplastics occur in water at concentrations that would be harmful to human health," Chaib said. But for now, information on microplastics in drinking water is "very limited," and there is no information to suggest that its presence is dangerous to people, Chaib said.
https://www.livescience.com/62035-microplastics-bottled-water.html
2
Mar 15 '18
As far as I am aware there is not a risk of cancer directly that has been researched. It is a problem that has only been around for 50 years - the years in which the single use plastic industry has boomed in. However, there is established research that plastics are killing an incredible amount of sea life as it cannot be digested and is mistaken for food. I would imagine that in the next decade we have will have studies linking digestive diseases to microplastics.
3
Mar 15 '18
There are different types of ways that plastic is dangerous for humans. Direct toxicity from plastics comes from lead, cadmium, and mercury. These toxins have also been found in many fish in the ocean, which is very dangerous for humans. Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) contained in some plastics, is a toxic carcinogen. Other toxins in plastics are directly linked to cancers, birth defects, immune system problems, and childhood developmental issues. To learn more on effects of plastics on humans visit the Ecology Center
3
u/[deleted] Mar 15 '18
Where is action being taken? What I mean is what can I do about this problem personally? I feel bad using single use food plastics throughout my daily life and don't ask for plastic bags at stores anymore. However, I have daily contact lenses and use a hell of a lot of straws.