Top dangers of plastic bottled water

Danger from plastic bottled water

Health experts have suggested a recommended intake of 8.8 oz . glasses of water a day to stay hydrated, which means most people have to carry their own water to go, be it in a reusable bottle or container. However, 60 million plastic water bottles still end up in landfills and incinerators every day. Although people are drinking more water to stay healthy, it may not be in the most beneficial way possible. The dangers and harmful effects of plastic water bottles include negative effects on human health as well as harm to the environment.

Drinking from single-use plastic bottles can lead to poisoning and chemical leaching. Chemical leaching occurs when heat causes toxic chemicals from plastic to be released into the water. That means leaving water bottles outside in the car or taking them to the beach or pool can heat them to temperatures that many experts in the field consider unsafe due to microplastic pollution. Although there is conflicting data on whether bottles left out in hot weather are harmful. It’s likely that the water you’re drinking has traces of lead, chlorine, bacteria, and pesticides, in addition to a number of other impurities that are toxic to your health.

In addition, not long ago, a study from the University of Michigan showed that consumers spend 300 times the cost of tap water to drink bottled water. The United States are the largest drinkers of bottled water on the planet, consuming about 61.4 billion gallons per year. While bottled water is still a drinking choice for many people, trends are changing and people want a healthier, more environmentally friendly solution.

Harmful effects of plastic bottled water on the environment and ecosystem

Dangers from plastic bottled water to health

In 2012, the FDA banned bisphenol-A or BPA from baby formula packaging. Bottled water companies soon followed suit to eliminate BPA in their products. Despite bans and reduced use, there is still a high risk of chemicals being found in plastic water bottles. People who want to reach their goal of drinking eight glasses of water a day may be surprised by how their healthy habits can actually make them sick depending on their water source.

After evaluating 18 bottled water products, one study found nearly 25,000 chemicals in bottled water. Among these are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as BPA, which adversely affect human health. Furthermore, the FDA has begun regulating bottled water for E.coli bacteria, and studies have found bottled water samples also contain mold, benzene, bacteria, and in some cases, including arsenic.

Symptoms of E. coli exposure include gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as headaches and fatigue.

Mold causes a number of health problems including coughing, throat and eye irritation, and allergic reactions that can affect the respiratory system, trigger asthma, and lead to other conditions related to Other immunity.

90% of bottled water contains microplastic particles, how is it harmful to health?

Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen and has long-term effects on the blood. Ultimately, it can cause decreased red blood cell count, negatively affect the immune system, and at high levels, can cause vomiting, dizziness, and rapid heart rate.

The health effects of plastic containers result from exposure to any mixture of toxins and chemicals, and include a wide range of symptoms and conditions. Even trace amounts can affect the body and worsen over time. In addition to toxic chemicals found in plastic water bottles, one-quarter of tap water is unsafe to drink because it does not meet EPA standards. It is important to understand the different indicators of water quality to ensure that your water is safe for you and your loved ones to drink it.

A recent study conducted by the State University of New York at Fredonia found that there are too many microplastics in bottled water, especially in budget brands. Microplastics are small plastic debris measuring 5 mm or less. Microplastics are found in more than 93% of bottled water and while the World Health Organization says there is no evidence consuming microplastics affects your health, it is still an area of ​​concern.

It is the top choice when compared to water coolers and bottled water. Other benefits are reduced plastic waste and no negative impact on animals. When you have tap water that has been filtered to remove up to 99% of impurities, you can feel good about what you’re consuming.

The impact of plastic waste from a few discarded water bottles

Not only are single-use plastics and plastic drinking bottles bad for you, but they also play a big role in plastic pollution and other environmental problems. There are many health risks that drinking from plastic water bottles pose, and it’s also not ideal for the environment. Most of the time, a single-use plastic water bottle ends up in landfills, where it takes up to 1,000 years, if not more, to decompose. A consumer report shows that Americans buy more than half a billion plastic water bottles weekly. That’s nearly 25 billion plastic water bottles used every year with only 12% of them being recycled. We can do a lot better as a community by learning how to reduce pollution.

To minimize this energy stress on the environment, the Pacific Institute defines it as approximately 100 billion MJ of energy (for every one million tons of polyethylene terephthalate used for plastic water bottles), equivalent to about 17 million oil barrel. That’s enough to fuel a million American cars for a year.

It is also estimated that by 2050, the ocean will contain more plastic than fish weight. Plastic waste is harmful to animals and disrupts ecosystems because chemicals leak and enter the air. It’s clear that whether by land, sea or air, the dangers of plastic water bottles remain a concern for environmentalists and consumers alike.

Cities and businesses are increasingly focusing on solutions that help protect communities from urban water pollution.

Hydration solutions for plastic water bottles to reduce the dangers of bottled water

There are several options that people can use to hydrate daily and avoid the risks associated with plastic water bottles. One way is to drink straight from the tap, which, depending on your location, can carry its own risks from contamination. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets health standards to protect the nation’s public drinking water supply. However, not all tap water is created equal. It depends on the original source, municipal infrastructure and other regulations which each water body may apply individually with established EPA guidelines. It’s important to be aware of the dangers of tap water, especially when you consider that a quarter of tap water does not meet EPA standards.

Adding a tap water filter is a good way to use what is available at the source in a way that is good for human health. Jug water filters, faucet water filters, refillable gallon jugs, and water delivery systems are all alternatives to using plastic water bottles. However, this water filtration may not remove all contaminants from tap water and may be more costly and less convenient in the long run.

Reusable water bottles are also increasingly popular because the number of products is increasing. There are several options that keep water cold throughout the day and are easy to care for and carry. They are also refillable, which is great for travel as many hotels and airports have now set up filtered water systems for guests to use. These fueling stations still provide the same quality water you may be used to at home and allow you to stay hydrated on the go.

The solution to better hydration is simple: instead of buying bottled water, which is a waste of your budget not to mention bad for the environment, why not improve your own tap water?