The WHO Says More Research Needed on Its Health Impacts

Newsreel Asia Insight #101
Jan. 12, 2024

New research has revealed that bottled water sold in stores may contain significantly higher levels of nanoplastics than previously known. These particles, 1,000 times smaller than the average width of a human hair, are so small they can migrate through tissues into the bloodstream, potentially distributing harmful synthetic chemicals throughout the body.

The study, conducted by researchers from Columbia University and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that one litre of bottled water contained an average of 240,000 plastic particles, with 90% being nanoplastics, as reported by CNN, which said microplastics, larger than nanoplastics, are also present in these bottles.

Sherri “Sam” Mason, director of sustainability at the Pennsylvania State University in Erie County, United States, praised the study’s depth and ground-breaking nature. She advises using glass or stainless steel containers for drinking water to reduce exposure to these plastics, according to the U.S. media.

For the study, researchers developed a new technology to see, count and analyse the chemical structure of nanoparticles in bottled water. This technology revealed that the actual number of plastic bits in bottled water is far higher than previously estimated, with figures ranging between 110,000 and 370,000 particles per litre.

Jane Houlihan, research director for the U.S.-based non-profit Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, highlighted the potential risks these particles pose, especially to infants and young children. Nanoplastics are particularly concerning due to their ability to invade individual cells and tissues, potentially causing harm. Mason noted that these particles can carry harmful chemicals like bisphenols, phthalates and heavy metals into the body.

The study’s co-author Phoebe Stapleton, from Rutgers University in the U.S., mentioned that micro and nanoplastics have been found in human placentas, lungs, faeces and blood. The study also raises questions about how the basic components of plastics, known as polymers, might affect human health. Polymers are large, chain-like molecules that make up plastics. When plastics break down into microplastics and nanoplastics, these polymer chains can become part of what is ingested or absorbed by humans.

In response to these findings, the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) urged caution, stating that more research is needed to develop standardised methods for measuring nanoplastics and to understand their health impacts, according to The Hill, a media outlet in the U.S. The IBWA emphasised the lack of scientific consensus on the health impacts of these particles.

The World Health Organization has acknowledged the need for more research on the health impacts of nano- and microplastics. The WHO’s report emphasised the lack of data but also raised concerns about the potential harms of these pollutants.

The bottled water industry, represented by the IBWA, argues that focusing solely on bottled water in the context of nanoplastic pollution might create a misleading perception about the prevalence of these particles. Their point is that nanoplastics are not exclusive to bottled water; they are found in various aspects of the environment, including soil, air and other water sources.