The Impact Of Plastic Bottles

Introduction

Plastic! It’s what’s for dinner.  Ok, you’re not eating plastic, but you are consuming it if you’re drinking from a plastic bottle whether it’s soda, juice, or water.

Plastic has flourished to be very convenient but it’s a problem for human health, the environment, and our wildlife.

Research conducted showed bottled water has nearly twice as many microplastics per liter as tap water which contained 325 pieces of microplastics, on average.  As a result of these findings, the World Health Organization (WHO) was to initiate a safety review of the short- and long-term health risks.

The WHO concluded that “There is currently no evidence to suggest a human health risk from microplastic-associated biofilms in drinking water.”  The WHO acknowledged this statement was based on incomplete information.

Biofilms are the outcome of the growth of microorganisms on water pipes and other surfaces that can detach and end up in the water.  The WHO is more interested in biofilms (pathogens) found in the water than microplastics or the chemicals used to make plastic.  Who says they must be limited with their concerns? (pun intended, 😊) 

In this blog, I review how plastic is getting into your bottles, which brands are most and least polluted, and how you can decrease your plastic intake.

What are microplastics?

Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic invisible to the eye.  They can come from a water source, air, and clothing (rayon) to name a few familiar sources.

Pro tip: More than half of the plastic known as microplastic comes from the cap and the plastic package wrapping.

Tested Water Brands

Eleven leading brands were tested using 259 bottles and 93% of all bottles contained microplastics such as polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Most corrupted brands

• Nestle Pure Life contained the highest amount of microplastic particles.
• Bisleri
• Gerolsteiner
• Aqua
• Epura

Least corrupted brands

• San Pellegrino
• Evian
• Dasani
• Wahaha
• Minalba

Pro tip:  Any plastic bottle is meant to be used one time (single-use).

How do microplastics impact your health?

It is thought that 90% of the microplastics pass through your gut and you excrete them.  The other 10% is the concern.  These microplastics could stick in your intestinal wall, kidneys, and liver, but anywhere in the body.  Very little research has been done on human health from microplastics, and the chemicals made from them.

The other concern is the chemicals that make up the plastics are unknown and the health risks.  Without more testing, general statements shouldn’t be made about human health and the impact of how it’s altered by microplastics.

Pro tip: 70% of plastic is not biodegradable.

Conclusion

To increase your options for optimal health:

Invest in a BPA free (Bisphenol A – plastic additive) or stainless-steel container and use your own water to drink from as many times as you desire.  It’s reusable and a healthier option.

Decrease your bottled water use. In my last blog, Should You Worry About Your Water, I review what you can do to lower your health risks for chemicals found in tap water.

Pay attention to how much plastic you use and start to decrease it.  Avoid plastic wrap when storing leftovers.

Store your leftovers in glass containers or mason jars instead of plastic dishes.

Use paper bags at the grocery store or bring your reusable bags.  You’ll have to ask for paper bags because they’re usually not readily accessible.   They also hold more groceries than plastic.  Have you noticed they’ve gotten smaller?

True story:  I recently went to a grocery store and had to pay 10 cents if I wanted a plastic bag because I didn’t have my own to carry groceries to my car.  I used the cart from the store to haul the groceries to the car and when I got home I carried the groceries a few at a time in the house.  Right now, the price to pay for convenience is 10 pennies, but for your health, the environment, and wildlife–priceless!——

In optimal health,

Lisa