Plastic Particles in Bottled Water. Beware of Packaged Mineral Water Brands!

A recent test on bottled water conducted over 250 bottles have found plastic particles in all of them. The test has been performed in New York and the mineral water bottles were collected from 9 different countries. Should all beware of packaged mineral water brands?

And all of us thought that bottled mineral water is way safer than then the water generally served or available. This recent test is however, proving us wrong!

Orb media, a journalism organisation has led this research that found an average of 10 plastic particles per litre. Reportedly, each of these particles is larger than even a human hair width. Sounds scary?

Sherri Mason, a professor in State University of New York has examined the bottles and he told BBC News, “We found [plastic] in bottle after bottle and brand after brand.”

He also added to his statement, “It's not about pointing fingers at particular brands; it's really showing that this is everywhere, that plastic has become such a pervasive material in our society, and it’s pervading water - all of these products that we consume at a very basic level.

Now, the question arises, should we start spreading awareness? Shall we avoid consuming bottled water?

According to Professor Mason, “It's not catastrophic, the numbers that we're seeing, but it is concerning.”

The real scenario with the developing countries depict, people who are able to afford packaged drinking water, they prefer it over tap water as the latter might be polluted. So, it leaves them with no choice but to purchase bottled mineral water or to carry purified water all time.

Take a look at the brands which have been found to have plastic particles :

Leading International Brands:

• Aquafina

  
  

• Evian

  
  

• Dasani

  
  

• Nestle Pure Life

  
  

• San Pelle Grino

Leading National Brands:

• Bisleri (India)

  
  

• Aqua (Indonesia)

  
  

• Gerolsteiner (Germany)

  
  

• Minalba (Brazil)

  
  

• Wahaha (China)

Being the leading brands they are highly popular amongst the masses and evidently, there’s a trust issue serving as the main USP of the brands. Already, all these brands have been informed to meet the highest standards of water safety and quality.

Types of plastics that have been traced in the examination are -

• Polypropylene - 54%

  
  

• Nylon - 16%

  
  

• Polystyrene - 11%

  
  

• Polyethylene - 10%

  
  

• Polyester - 6%

  
  

• Others (Azlon, Polyacrylates, copolymers) - 3%

After this report release many might think twice before going for a packaged drinking water. How harmful these plastic particles could be? What could be its effects in human body? Such questions are absolutely valid at this point.

As per sources, no solid proof has been found yet that these plastic particles can lead to severe side effects, but, the matter is surely concerning.