Scientists find about a quarter million invisible nanoplastic particles in a liter of bottled water

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Category: Science/Environment

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. detect / dɪˈtɛkt / (v.) – to notice or discover something that is not easily visible or apparent
    Example:

    The researchers detected the presence of harmful bacteria in the water sample.


  2. dual / ˈdu əl / (adj.) – having two of something
    Example:

    My phone has dual cameras, one on the front and one on the back.


  3. microscopic / ˌmaɪ krəˈskɒp ɪk / (adj.) – extremely small that can only be seen using a scientific device called a microscope
    Example:

    The scientist used a powerful device to observe microscopic organisms that are too small to see with our eyes.


  4. contaminant / kənˈtæm ə nənt / (n.) – something that makes something else dirty, poisonous, or polluted
    Example:

    The water was not safe to drink because it had a harmful contaminant in it.


  5. standardized / ˈstæn dərˌ dɑɪzd / (adj.) – made according to a set of established standards or rules, ensuring unity and similarity of something
    Example:

    This cooking instruction follows a standardized format, making it easy for anyone to understand and follow.


Article

Read the text below.

The average liter of bottled water has nearly a quarter million invisible pieces of ever-so-tiny nanoplastics, detected and categorized for the first time by a microscope using dual lasers.


Scientists long figured there were lots of these microscopic plastic pieces, but until researchers at Columbia and Rutgers universities did their calculations, they never knew how many or what kind.


Looking at five samples each of three common bottled water brands, researchers found particle levels ranged from 110,000 to 400,000 per liter, averaging at around 240,000 according to a study on January 8’s Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.


Previous studies have looked at slightly bigger microplastics that range from the visible 5 millimeters, less than a quarter of an inch, to one micron. About 10 to 100 times more nanoplastics than microplastics were discovered in bottled water, the study found.


Much of the plastic seems to be coming from the bottle itself and the reverse osmosis membrane filter used to keep out other contaminants, said study lead author Naixin Qian, a Columbia physical chemist.


She wouldn’t reveal the three brands because researchers want more samples before they single out a brand and want to study more brands. Still, she said they were common and bought at a Walmart.


Researchers still can’t answer the big question: Are those nanoplastic pieces harmful to health?


“That’s currently under review. We don’t know if it’s dangerous or how dangerous,” said study co-author Phoebe Stapleton, a toxicologist at Rutgers. “We do know that they are getting into the tissues (of mammals, including people) … and the current research is looking at what they’re doing in the cells.”


The International Bottled Water Association said in a statement: “There currently is both a lack of standardized (measuring) methods and no scientific consensus on the potential health impacts of nano- and microplastic particles. Therefore, media reports about these particles in drinking water do nothing more than unnecessarily scare consumers.”


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Do you think the presence of nanoplastics in bottled water is a cause for concern? Why or why not? How does this information affect your perception of bottled water? Discuss.
  • The study found that about 10 to 100 times more nanoplastics than microplastics were discovered in bottled water. Are you surprised by this information? Why or why not? How does this impact our understanding of plastic pollution and its effects on human health (ex. that plastic pollution is widespread, that plastic pollution affects us more than we think)? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Given that the potential health risks of consuming nanoplastics are still unknown, would you continue to drink bottled water? What factors would influence your decision (ex. health concerns, environmental concerns)? Discuss.
  • The International Bottled Water Association claims that media reports about nanoplastics in bottled water unnecessarily scare consumers. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Is it important to raise awareness about potential risks even without conclusive evidence? Why or why not? Discuss.