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The latest studies point out that up to 75% of commercially bottled water may contain dangerous chemicals linked to cancer.
A team of scientists from Qatar has conducted a new study that reveals that between 10% and 78% of the analyzed samples contained microplastics, tiny particles that can reach the bloodstream and disrupt the body’s functions, informs Daily Mail.
According to this research, tap water is much safer to drink because it is subject to “rigorous quality and safety standards.”
Specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar also found traces of other contaminants, including phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), which break down and end up in the water when the bottles are squeezed or the cap is repeatedly opened and closed.
Microplastics can also seep into water if a bottle is exposed to heat, such as being left in a hot room, in a car on a hot day, or outside in the sun.
Used to make plastics more durable, phthalates are known to interfere with hormone production in the body, according to the source cited by adevarul.ro. BPA is a chemical used to make food packaging stronger and less vulnerable to corrosion or decay. Both substances have also been associated with infertility, PCOS, asthma and some cancers.
Experts: “Tap water is much safer to drink”
The scientists explained that while there are short-term safety thresholds, the long-term effects of these contaminants remain largely unknown. They also urged restaurants and other public spaces to ditch bottled water instead of tap water.
Previous studies have suggested that the average person ingests around five grams of plastic per week – the equivalent of a credit card. Also, people are thought to inhale up to 7,000 microplastics a day, raising concerns that they could pose a health threat alongside asbestos or tobacco.
Becoming a real trend in recent years, reusable water bottles are an effective means of meeting the medical recommendations of drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day and reducing our environmental footprint.
However, specialists point out that this type of containers can present a hidden risk, being a potential health hazard, if we do not use them correctly and hygienically. Thus, if they are not washed often, the containers can become a favorable environment for the development of microbes and bacteria.
High risk of cancer and infertility
Bisphenol A, long ubiquitous in many products such as plastic bottles, is suspected of being linked to a wide range of diseases, breast cancer, infertility, etc., due to the hormonal disruptions it causes.
In some countries, such as France, BPA is now banned in food containers. The European Union (EU) and the United States have restricted its use and are considering more drastic restrictions, although these have not yet been implemented.
Source: www.doctorulzilei.ro
