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Microplastics found in 93% of bottled water tested in global study

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Re: Microplastics found in 93% of bottled water tested in global study

#221

Post by segfaultbuserr »

See also:

* Microplastics found in 93% of bottled water tested in global study

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16793888

* Microplastics found in 90 percent of table salt

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18248471

* Microplastics Are Blowing in the Wind

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19672514

* Microplastics found in supermarket fish, shellfish

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14245133

I think people around the world have been ingesting microplastic for 30 years or longer, yet there's no reported case of any direct toxic effects. So I guess microplastic doesn't have immediately effects on health, but I won't be surprised if future studies find longterm effects, such as increasing the risk of cancer, damage to the circulatory system or the brain.

Overall, I think we must take actions immediately for solutions, but I won't particularly worry about this problem and I'll continue buying bottled water. It's not unlike the air pollution in the 20th century, one has to live with it.

Nevertheless, "microplastic is going to kill all of us" surely is going to be the trope of the next decade.

Re: Microplastics found in 93% of bottled water tested in global study

#222

Post by thelittleone »

mastazi wrote: post #219
thelittleone wrote: post #203

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Bali, Indonesia (and many developing countries) you have no choice. Drinking tap water is also health hazard in some countries.

In Bali, Thailand and many other places in SE Asia, you can get water that comes from local treatment plants (it usually looks like this[1]) instead of "brand" bottled water (like these ones[2]), the former is almost always bottled locally (at the nearest water treatment plant, they are ubiquitous in SE Asia even in regional areas, sometimes they are subsidised by governments), as a result the water tends to stay in…

There’s also a system where Nestle gallon containers are filled by small merchants with local filtered bore water and recapped and sold (often as original).

Re: Microplastics found in 93% of bottled water tested in global study

#223

Post by riffraff »

cortesoft wrote: post #197
lukaa wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Plastic bottled water is not bought because it is higher quality. People buy it because it comes in a disposable container.

When in italy, I buy bottled water because i like natuRally sparkling water, rather than still. I would welcome going back to glass bottles.

Re: Microplastics found in 93% of bottled water tested in global study

#224

Post by Scoundreller »

thelittleone wrote: post #220
Scoundreller wrote: post #208

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Depending on what the hazard is, disinfection tablets can be effective and much cheaper than buying water. Or SODIS sunlight disinfection.

Haven’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.

The NaDCC tablets leave no taste.

Re: Microplastics found in 93% of bottled water tested in global study

#225

Post by fouc »

mastazi wrote: post #219
thelittleone wrote: post #203

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Bali, Indonesia (and many developing countries) you have no choice. Drinking tap water is also health hazard in some countries.

In Bali, Thailand and many other places in SE Asia, you can get water that comes from local treatment plants (it usually looks like this[1]) instead of "brand" bottled water (like these ones[2]), the former is almost always bottled locally (at the nearest water treatment plant, they are ubiquitous in SE Asia even in regional areas, sometimes they are subsidised by governments), as a result the water tends to stay in…

The 18.9L/5 gallon water jugs are common even in Canada and US also, it's not unique to Asia. They do get washed and re-used also.

It's an interesting question if they'd be at risk for microplastics as well.

Re: Microplastics found in 93% of bottled water tested in global study

#226

Post by IggleSniggle »

codeddesign wrote: post #152
lukaa wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

The 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 c…

It’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.”

Re: Microplastics found in 93% of bottled water tested in global study

#227

Post by fouc »

segfaultbuserr wrote: post #221

See also: * Microplastics found in 93% of bottled water tested in global study https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16793888 * Microplastics found in 90 percent of table salt https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18248471 * Microplastics Are Blowing in the Wind https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19672514 * Microplastics found in supermarket fish, shellfish https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14245133 I think people…

It's possible the microplastics could be to blame for the decline in male fertility.

Re: Microplastics found in 93% of bottled water tested in global study

#229

Post by platz »

jerrysievert wrote: post #61
irrational wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was wondering the same thing. I saw an article yesterday about scientists just discovering that tea bags release billions of micro and nano particles.

the tea bags are a new plastic mesh kind, currently from a small handful of manufacturers.

You mean like any kind of hot tea in pyramid bags that you get from Starbucks?

I wonder how much people are drinking those teas.

know I have

Re: Microplastics found in 93% of bottled water tested in global study

#230

Post by glennpratt »

cortesoft wrote: post #197
lukaa wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Plastic bottled water is not bought because it is higher quality. People buy it because it comes in a disposable container.

This isn't true in my experience. I've witnessed plenty of people in wealthy US suburbs that stock bottled water at home and even stock up on vacation.

They claim it's for the taste and purity.

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