You may not believe how much Nano plastics you are consuming by just drinking one bottle of drinking water.
According to a new study, the amount of nanoplastic particles in bottled water is 10–100 times larger than previously estimated, and they range from 110,000–370,000 in size. These particles are more dangerous to human health than microplastics.
Columbia University Study on Nano plastics :
According to a study by Columbia University professor Beizhan Yan, a deficiency in analytical instruments limits our comprehension of nano plastics. By analyzing micro and nano plastics in three well-known brands of regularly consumed bottled water, the researchers employed stimulated Raman scattering microscopy, which provided valuable insights on the distribution, abundance, kinds, and exposure levels of these materials in the environment. Wei Min, a collaborator of the paper, jointly developed it.
What is Raman scattering microscopy ?
A non-destructive imaging method that offers comprehensive molecular details about a sample material is Raman scattering microscopy. It is based on the interaction between monochromatic light, usually from a laser source and the molecular vibrations in the sample through inelastic scattering.
Through the analysis of dispersed light’s wavelength alterations, scientists are able to locate and map specific chemical components. This makes it possible to see the chemical makeup, structural specifics, and even biological processes in a range of materials, including living things.
Raman microscopy provides label-free, high-resolution molecular imaging, which makes it useful in a variety of domains including biology, materials science, and pharmaceuticals.
Nano plastics in Bottled Water :
Among the various plastics that have been discovered in trace concentrations in the water are polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polymethyl methacrylate, better known as plexiglass. Hardly ten percent of the nanoparticles studied by researchers fell into any of the seven kinds of plastic that are currently recognised. Tap water is far less polluted with microplastics than bottled water, according to earlier studies on the subject.
Nanoparticles behave differently from larger particles of matter because of their extremely small size, which allows pollutants and pathogens to be carried on their surface, and because of the rise in surface area-to-volume ratio that occurs with shrinking particle size. Their tiny size makes them more dangerous because of their ability to damage organelles, tissues, and cells.
Health Concerns of Bottled Water Containing Nano plastics :
- Ingestion and Absorption: The body may absorb and transport nano plastics found in bottled water into the circulation.
- Tissue Accumulation: Over time, tissues and organs may become overpopulated with pollutants, which might have negative consequences.
- Inflammatory Reactions: Exposure to it has been associated with inflammatory reactions that have been related to illnesses of the heart and metabolism.
- Possible Toxicity: There may be a health risk to humans due to the chemical makeup and related additions.
- Disruption of Biological Processes: Nanoplastics have the ability to interact with molecular and cellular structures, which might result in harm or malfunction to cells.
- Genotoxicity and Mutagenicity: They have the capacity to interact with genetic material and cause mutations or damage to DNA.
Further actions in the future :
Understanding and preventing micro-nanoplastic contamination in the manufacture of drinking water can be aided by the nonorthogonality of plastic polymers. Disparities in size between various polymers might point to sources of pollution while producing water.
Toxicology is also influenced by the shape and chemical makeup of the particles. Multidimensional characterisation of plastic particles and their diverse characteristics is necessary for a thorough assessment of toxicity.
Understanding particle-biology interactions and plastic particle profiling can benefit greatly from single-particle imaging with nanoparticle sensitivity and plastic specificity. Substantial biological and environmental samples may be further studied using the data-driven hyperspectral SRS imaging technology.
