A recent study warned that drinking water bottled in plastic bottles may contain microplastic particles that pose a health risk, as they can penetrate the body’s defenses and accumulate in vital organs, which may raise the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.
The study, supervised by environmental management expert Sarah Sajedi from Concordia University in Canada, revealed that individuals who rely on bottled water regularly are exposed annually to approximately 90,000 additional microplastic particles compared to tap water users, according to the “Science Daily” website.
She found that these microscopic particles, which may not exceed two microns in size, are formed during the manufacturing, storage, and transportation of bottled water.
Sajdi described the risks associated with single-use plastic bottles as “dangerous,” noting that the harmful effects that occur as a result of repeated and prolonged exposure to a toxic substance constitute the greatest threat, not acute poisoning. She considered that “there is no objection to using bottled water in emergency situations, but it should not be a daily habit,” calling for enhancing public awareness of long-term risks.
The study was published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials and showed growing evidence linking exposure to microplastics to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, hormone disturbances, infertility, nerve damage, and cancer.
She also indicated that these molecules may disrupt the intestinal microbiome, affecting beneficial bacteria and increasing the risk of diseases such as colon cancer and depression.
Sajedi called for stricter legislation to limit the use of single-use plastic, calling for mandatory labels to clarify the presence of microplastic in products and its health effects, while holding companies accountable for the life cycle of their products.
She also advised individuals to switch to glass or metal utensils to reduce exposure to plastic, and Sajedi concluded by emphasizing the importance of combating microplastic pollution to ensure a “more sustainable and safer future for drinking water sources.”