Nanoplastics and Microplastics Found in Bottled Water and Meat Proteins

The high quantity of nanoplastics found in bottled water has the potential to disrupt the body’s cellular functions, according to a newly published study. “As a demonstration, micro-nano plastics in bottled water are analyzed with multidimensional profiling of individual plastic particles,” the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study reported. “Quantification suggests more than 10⁵ particles in each liter of bottled water, the majority of which are nanoplastics.” Nanoplastics have become increasingly more concerning to researchers as their pervasiveness in all aspects of life brings into question the impacts on humans and the natural environment. “Post-consumer plastic waste disposal leading to plastic pollution in landfills, waterways, and oceans represents a worldwide environmental challenge,” according to a report from the American Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS). “Accumulation and continued material fragmentation from micro- to nanoplastics has identified concerns pertaining to the environmental and human exposures and toxicity. While many studies have focused on particle fate and identification, the toxicological considerations must focus on the biological relevance of particle deposition within a particular organism, compartment, organ, and tissue.”...