Bottled water contains nanoplastics: up to 240,000 particles per litre

Drinking bottled water does not guarantee purity. Recent studies have revealed that it contains up to 240,000 plastic nanoparticles per litre, which means that you could be consuming thousands of invisible fragments every time you take a sip. Although you cannot see them, they are there: passing through filters, being released from the containers themselves, and even sneaking into the bottling process.

The question is not only whether bottled water is safe, but whether there are better alternatives. Today, there are technologies that allow drinking water to be generated without the use of plastics. Solutions such as atmospheric water generators offer a way to drink water with confidence.

Nanoplastics and microplastics: key differences and why they matter

Microplastics are plastic particles between one micron and five millimetres in size. Nanoplastics, on the other hand, are even smaller: less than one micron in size. This difference makes them more dangerous, because they can pass through cell membranes and spread throughout the body.

Both are by-products of plastic degradation and are present in the environment. But the discovery that bottled water contains nanoplastics has set off alarm bells: it is no longer just a matter of environmental pollution, but something we ingest daily without knowing it.

How do bottles become contaminated with nanoplastics?

The contamination process begins long before the bottle reaches your hands. Plastic is present at every stage: from the manufacture of the container to its storage.

The hidden problem with plastic containers

Most bottles are made of PET, a plastic material that can release particles over time, or when exposed to heat or sunlight. Opening, closing or transporting a bottle generates friction, and that friction is enough to release nanoplastics that end up floating in the water we drink.

Filtration and bottling: an unexpected source

Although it may seem contradictory, industrial filtration systems can also introduce nanoplastics. Filters are often made of polymers, and their continued use can release micro- and nanofibres that end up in the final product. Thus, even water that has been ‘purified’ can be contaminated.

What happens in your body when you drink nanoplastics

When these particles enter the body, they can pass from the intestines into the bloodstream. Research has detected microplastics in the lungs, blood, placenta and even brain tissue. The most worrying thing is that nanoplastics are so small that they can evade the body’s natural defence systems.

Although not all long-term effects are yet known, research is being conducted into their possible impact on cellular inflammation, the immune system and the transmission of contaminants attached to the plastic, such as pesticides or heavy metals.

Bottled water contains more nanoplastics than you thought

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has completely changed what we knew. Using advanced laser imaging technology, researchers detected up to 240,000 particles per litre of bottled water. Most were nanoplastics, with the total number far exceeding what had been detected with previous techniques.

These figures are not only surprising, but they also call into question the reputation of bottled water as a ‘purer’ product than tap water. And most alarmingly, there are currently no regulations limiting this presence.

Microplastics in bottled water: a problem that won’t go away

Although the focus is on nanoplastics, microplastics remain a significant source of exposure. In many cases, their concentration is lower than that of nanoplastics, but it is still significant.

Dozens, hundreds and even thousands of microplastics per litre have been found in popular brands. They often come from the packaging itself, the caps or contact with industrial machinery. These fragments not only affect the human body, but also accumulate in aquatic ecosystems, with knock-on consequences for the environment.

How to reduce your exposure to nanoplastics

Completely avoiding contact with plastics is difficult, but you can reduce their presence in the water you drink by taking everyday actions.

Habit changes that work

• Use reusable glass or stainless steel bottles.
• Avoid leaving bottles in the sun or in warm places.
• Do not reuse single-use plastic containers.
• Consider using certified filters with the capacity to trap small particles.

Plastic-free solutions: cleaner technologies

More and more people are opting for technologies that provide access to drinking water without relying on plastic containers. One of the most innovative is atmospheric water generation, which converts moisture in the air into drinking water, without transport, plastic filters or waste.

GENAQ, the European leader in this technology, has developed solutions for homes, offices and remote areas. This technology is a clear example of how it is possible to access quality water without contamination from micro- or nanoplastics.

Is a future without nanoplastics in the water we drink possible?

Yes, and that future begins by no longer relying on plastic as a means of transporting water. The solutions already exist, and some are within our reach.

GENAQ offers a completely plastic-free alternative: atmospheric water generators that provide pure water directly from the air, without the need for bottling, transport or storage in materials that can degrade. In addition, its equipment is designed to be sustainable, efficient and adaptable to different climatic conditions.

They are already being used in homes, hotels, hospitals and even in humanitarian operations in remote areas. Their impact is twofold: they provide safe water and significantly reduce the plastic footprint.