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For practical purpose does it matter? It detects non-water particles(pollution) in twice higher ratio than in tap water and plastic bottled water is sold as way
by lukaa 7y ago
For practical purpose does it matter? It detects non-water particles(pollution) in twice higher ratio than in tap water and plastic bottled water is sold as way purer than tap water with 1000 time higher price. Basically it's scam.
- codeddesign 7y agoThe problem I see is labeling something with an assumption whether it’s becausenitnmakes good news or due to bias. If it’s unknown I am not ok with calling it plastic. I would think that the more appropriate term would be “non-water based substance”. Ultimately what we are talking about is contaminants? Or could this be heavy mineral deposits in the water? Do they know? Is this natural or being classified as a real contaminant?
- inimino 7y agoShort answer: yes, it's definitely mostly plastic. https://orbmedia.org/sites/default/files/FinalBottledWaterReport.pdf https://orbmedia.org/sites/default/files/FinalBottledWaterRe... > In total nearly 2000 microplastic particles > 100 um were extracted from all of the filters, with nearly 1000 (~50%) being further analyzed by FTIR. Obtained FTIR spectra were compared to libraries of known spectra in order to confirm and identify the polymeric content of the particles. All particles analyzed were either best matched to a polymer, plastic additive or known plastic binder providing additional supporting evidence that Nile Red selectively adsorbed to microplastic particles within the bottled water. With this spectroscopic confirmation, it can be concluded that on average each bottle of water contains at least 10.4 MPP/L (Table 2). [...] > Given the limitations of the lab, particles < 100 um (the so-called ‘NR tagged particles’) were not able to be confirmed as polymeric through spectroscopic analyses (FTIR &/or Raman spectroscopy). However, in testing of various stains and dyes that could be employed for microplastic detection and analysis within environmental samples with a greater potential for misidentification and false positives (i.e., sediments and open-water environmental samples) both Maes et al. (2107) and Erni-Cassola et al. (2017) concluded that Nile Red (NR) was very selective, especially within the time scales of incubation employed, and could be used for the rapid detection of microplastics without the need for additional spectroscopic analysis. To be sure that is why this stain was employed for this study. Additionally FTIR analysis was done on fluorescing particles >100 um and every particle analyzed was confirmed to be polymeric. Even further, NR is well-established to selectively adsorb to hydrophobic (‘water-fearing’) materials and, as such, will not adsorb to the only contents reasonably expected to be within bottled water, water &/or its mineral components.
- IggleSniggle 7y agoIt’s only “unknown” from a scientific skepticism perspective. The scientist is saying, “all the evidence that we can gather points with ubiquity towards this being plastic, but there is some possibility that there is an as yet undiscovered particle that is otherwise elusive to detection.” That just being a good scientist. The mark of a scientist that you should not trust is the one who says, “we know this to be true with absolute certainty” instead of “all of the evidence I’ve gathered leads me to personally believe with absolutely certainty, but there could be something else going on I haven’t considered.”
- smhost 7y agowe should start calling bottled water "plastic water"
- cordite 7y agoIs microplastics what give cheap water bottles that particular off-flavor?
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- retpirato 7y agoMaybe it depends on the brand. To me Aquafina tastes like I filled a bottle with toilet water & drank it.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- peteretep 7y agoI’d wild-ass guess that it’s using a cheaper water treatment? If you don’t want your water going green on the shelves, you need _some_ solution, and I’m guessing a dab of chlorine or similar both achieves that and makes the water taste weird.
- nosianu2 7y agoNot necessarily. I doubt you could taste particles, unless they are truly molecule-sized nano to be able to bind to taste receptors? I think you need molecules. Which plastic bottles, depending on the exact kind of plastic and how it was manufactured, may have plenty of - it's not just the ideal "plastic" material, the carbon chains, but plenty of other kinds of molecules dissolved in between. In text books the different kinds of plastic are always represented with the main molecule - but not just is there no such thing as a 100% pure substance in a real-world manufacturing process, in addition all kinds of other molecules are added deliberately - temporarily during a manufacturing step or to become part of the final product - to modify the physical properties of the substance. So even the same kind of plastic can contain very different kinds of other substances depending on who made it when and where. https://www.npr.org/2011/03/02/134196209/study-most-plastics-leach-hormone-like-chemicals https://www.npr.org/2011/03/02/134196209/study-most-plastics... https://www.thoughtco.com/reusing-plastic-bottles-serious-health-hazards-1204028 https://www.thoughtco.com/reusing-plastic-bottles-serious-he...
- bonoboTP 7y agoThere's a lot of glass bottled water too, at least in Germany.
- kccqzy 7y agoAnd plenty of aluminum cans of water as well, not to mention aluminum recycling is perhaps the most implemented recycling effort of any materials.
- elif 7y agoAluminum cans are typically lined with plastic.
- cakemuncher 7y agoBut it doesn't get released as easily. I've read a few weeks ago a thread on an ultralight backpacking forum where they were discussing cooking in beer can. They were pulling spec docs and Lab tests of how much plastic gets released if they cook in those cans. The results was that they release about 0.01% of FDA limit. So, according to ultralight backpackers on that forum, it should be safe.
- bilbo0s 7y agoI'm not really sure how much glass or aluminum containers would matter to the fundamental point? The plant that purifies the water and puts it into the glass and aluminum containers almost certainly uses plastic or rubber tubing in its machinery. So you'd likely get some plastic particles transferred there as well. In the end, I'd be willing to bet that tap water has fewer micro plastics than water bottled in glass or aluminum. Problem, of course, is that your municipality likely uses some form of metal piping to get water to your tap. Which, depending on what all that is, could mean elevated lead levels etc. It's a tough problem.
- NullPrefix 7y ago> Problem, of course, is that your municipality likely uses some form of metal piping to get water to your tap. Which, depending on what all that is, could mean elevated lead levels etc. Not a metallurgist, but I am pretty sure there are metal alloys that do not contain lead.
- cortesoft 7y agoPlastic bottled water is not bought because it is higher quality. People buy it because it comes in a disposable container.
- thelittleone 7y agoIn Bali, Indonesia (and many developing countries) you have no choice. Drinking tap water is also health hazard in some countries.
- Scoundreller 7y agoDepending on what the hazard is, disinfection tablets can be effective and much cheaper than buying water. Or SODIS sunlight disinfection.
- thelittleone 7y agoHaven’t tried those tabs for many years but I recall them tasting terrible. Good for emergencies perhaps. Filtration systems are available but cost several thousand dollars and require core replacements every two years for around $300-400. On the other hand, a gallon of potable water from one of the few springs in Bali costs around $3.
- Scoundreller 7y agoThe NaDCC tablets leave no taste.
- Ayesh 7y agoWater purification tabs, straws, and bottles are not practical unless you are in an extreme environment to find clean water (hikes, for example). - They tested awful. Iodine tablets have an awful taste after. We often use orange flavored powder to hide it. - They are expensive in third world countries. You have to use one tablet per liter, and it costs about 10 cents USD per tablet. In comparison, you can buy a 1L plastic bottle of water for 30 cents. - it takes about half an hour to work, so you can't use them immediately. - Even if you buy those straws, they have a maximum lifetime before you have to replace the filter (about 1000l). You will need to replace about twice a year if you were to use as the daily drive.
- patmorgan23 7y agoFlint
- ehnto 7y agoDoes the plastic come from the bottle, or from the water source?
- bufferoverflow 7y agoIf it came from the bottle, wouldn't it be in 100% of the samples?
- apacheCamel 7y agoPossibly. I guess it would also depend on the plastic used for the bottles themselves since the article says it was taken from different companies.
- hanspeter 7y ago> bottled water is sold as way purer than tap water Do you have a source for that? Is it not just the prevalent belief among consumers?
- justwalt 7y agoIn fairness, that could be what he’s talking about - the illusion among consumers that bottled watered is purer than tap. But with most brands marketing as coming from some mountain spring, who’s really at fault?
- klarrimore 7y agoThere's relatively short list of countries that can even drink tap water.
- crashbunny 7y agoDoes it matter if the non-water particles aren't plastic? It might, if we evolved while drinking water with the same non-water particles then they should be fine. If the non-water particles only turned up recently, like microplastics, then whether it will affect our health is unknown until some studies are done.
- lukaa 7y agoCommon particles (those with which we evolved) are easily identifiable so no it's not them. But like I said it clearly shows it's not purer or higher quality than tap water and is sold like that with enormous price compared to tap water. It's called scam.
- tikiman163 7y agoActually, detecting hot-water particles does not automatically mean greater polution. Admittedly, I agree with the research authors and you that bottled water is less healthy and a scam, but it is still possible that the particles are non-harmful or could even be beneficial additives. I very much doubt that's the case, I'm just saying we can't make such direct assumptions when analyzing scientific research.