Recent research shows plastic fibres have been found in drinking water around the world. This includes bottled, tap and filtered water you might otherwise have thought was safe to drink.
To ensure you know what you are putting in your body, it’s best to only drink bottled water you know has been independently tested without any plastic fibres found to be polluting the liquid.
Safe bottled water includes Beloka Water, which has undergone recent rigorous testing and was found to be safe.
Investigations find more than 80% of water is contaminated
A recent study carried out by Orb Media has found that 83% of water sampled from a dozen countries was contaminated with plastic microfibers.
Somewhat surprisingly, the USA was found to have the highest levels of contamination, with plastic fibres discovered in about 94% of all tap water. These results were higher than the plastic count found in India and Lebanon’s water.
The report, results of which were given to The Guardian, has urged scientists to carry out more research on the harm this contaminated drinking water can have on our health.
The damage microplastics can cause
Microplastics are dangerous to consume because they can create negative health side effects. For example, the plastics can carry toxic chemicals which when swallowed are released into the body with the potential to cause damage and illness to our organs.
Microplastics can attract bacteria and because they are so small we could be consuming them without any knowledge of us doing so. Although thorough research is yet to be carried out on the effects of the plastic, it is safe to say it can’t be doing our bodies any good.
How do plastic fibres end up in our waterways?
No one yet knows for sure how microplastics are ending up in our drinking water, but it is thought doing the washing could be a culprit. Every time we wash our clothes, synthetic fibres are shed and swallowed up by our plumbing systems. In fact, just one washing cycle has the potential to release 700,000 fibres into our environment.
Plastics can also be shed into the atmosphere through the use of household goods such as tumble dryers. These plastics enter the air and end up in our waterways.
Other sources of microplastics
Aside from our washing, microplastics pollute our airways thanks to other substances such as tyre dust and paints.
Every time we drive our vehicles on the road, they emit tyre dust, which is washed into our sewers by the rain, ending up in our water systems.
The rain also causes paint dust to run into our oceans. In fact, studies have shown the ocean is coated in paint residue, made up of harmful plastics.
Microbeads, mini-plastics commonly found in cosmetics and facial scrubs, are also polluting our waterways when we wash them down the drain.
How can we reduce our microplastic waste?
The average plastic bag use is for just 12 minutes, and yet plastic bags can survive in the ocean for up to 500 years. Ditch the plastic and opt for reusable bags when you head to the shops. For facts and figures of plastic pollution and the impact on our oceans and marine life read this comprehensive guide by SLO active titled Plastic Pollution: Single Use Plastic Impact on our Oceans.
A billion plastic straws end up in the bin each day. Bring your own metal straw or drink straight from your glass to avoid unnecessarily polluting your environment. Another household item to think about are toothbrushes – why not use a biodegradable bamboo one?
Try and wash synthetic clothing less frequently too, and hitch a ride on public transport to reduce your carbon footprint.
Facts about microplastics
Unfortunately, the current way water treatment plants operate means microplastics are not able to be completely filtered out of our waterways.
And even if everyone was to drink bottled water instead of tap, it does not mean you can necessarily avoid microplastics, as some bottled water has also been found to contain plastic.
Every year, about 300 million tonnes of plastic is created. Sadly, only one-fifth of this is recycled, meaning that much of the world’s plastic waste ends up in the land, air or sea. In fact, since the 1950s, more than 8 billion tonnes of plastic have been produced, creating irreversible effects on the environment.
Although numerous studies have been carried out on the harmful effects plastic has on animals, specifically marine life, little has been researched about the effect plastic has on humans.
However, there is little doubt that consuming plastic can be bad for your health, and therefore, it’s best to avoid consuming it when you can.
Beloka Water is safe to drink
If you are looking for a healthy alternative, Beloka Water is safe to drink. Recently, in November, Beloka Water was independently tested and no plastic fibres were found in any of the company’s water.
Thanks to the testing carried out by the National Measurement Institute, the company’s report shows Beloka Water does not contain plastic fibres.
You can download the full report on still and sparkling water samples taken from Beloka Water for its test for plastic fibres, and see for yourself why we are the reliable choice for your personal or catering needs.