Scientists have found that leading bottled water brands are contaminated with plastic particles.
This is coming on the heels of a research, which revealed that plastic contaminants were identified in 93 per cent of samples, which included major bottled water brands such as Aqua, Nestle Pure Life, Aquafina, Dasani, Evian, San Pellegrino, Bisleri, Dasani, Epura and Evian.
The researchers from the State University of New York at Fredonia in the United States (US), found the sampled bottled waters contaminated with tiny plastic particles that were likely seeping into the products during packaging process.
According to the report, the contaminants are plastic debris, including polypropylene, nylon, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The researchers tested more than 250 bottles from 11 brands purchased in 19 locations in nine countries.
The bottled waters analysed were from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Thailand and the U.S.
Widespread contamination with plastic was found in the study, led by microplastic researcher, Sherri Mason of the State University of New York, according to a summary released by Orb Media, a U.S-based non-profit media organisation.
The report showed that particle concentration ranged from “zero to more than 10,000 likely plastic particles in a single bottle.
“On average, plastic particles in the 100 micron (0.10 millimeter) size range — considered ‘microplastics’ — were found at an average rate of 10.4 plastic particles per litre.” However, experts cautioned that the extent of the risk to human health posed by such contamination remains unclear.
Previous research by Orb Media has found plastic particles in tap water, too, but on a smaller scale.