…..Researchers link daily consumption to high microplastic, nanoplastic exposure
Fresh concerns are emerging over the long-term health impacts of bottled drinking water following new scientific findings that suggest regular consumption may introduce tens of thousands of microplastic and nanoplastic particles into the human body each year.
The warnings come from a new study led by Canadian researcher and environmental solutions expert Sarah Sajedi, whose work highlights a growing global blind spot around the health risks of single-use plastic bottles.
Published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, the study reviewed more than 140 scientific papers and found that microplastics shed directly from water bottles during manufacturing, transportation, storage, and everyday handling.
“People ingest an estimated 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles annually,” Sajedi said.
“For those who rely heavily on bottled water, the number can be significantly higher—almost 90,000 additional particles every year.”
Her findings indicate that these particles are too small to be seen with the naked eye, often measuring less than a micron, yet still able to travel through the human body.
Microplastics range from one micron to five millimeters, while nanoplastics are even smaller, with the potential to pass through biological barriers and circulate in the bloodstream.
“These particles do not stay in the digestive system,” she explained. “Some can move into the blood and reach organs. That’s what makes them concerning over time.”
According to Sajedi, this raises questions about long-term exposure, especially for individuals who consume bottled water daily.
She emphasized that while bottled water is necessary during emergencies or where safe tap water is unavailable, it should not replace everyday hydration sources.
“Drinking water from plastic bottles is fine in an emergency,” she noted. “But it’s not something that should be used in daily life.”
The journey that led her to this research began unexpectedly on the beaches of Thailand’s Phi Phi islands, where she first noticed alarming amounts of plastic waste.
“I was looking at the sea, and then I looked down,” she recalled. “Beneath my feet were pieces of plastic. Most of them were bottles. That moment changed my direction.”
Motivated by that moment, Sajedi left her business career to pursue a PhD at Concordia University, building on decades of experience as co-founder of ERA Environmental Management Solutions.
Her professional background, paired with academic research, positioned her to investigate both environmental and health dimensions of plastic waste.
The study suggests that plastics used for water bottles degrade more quickly than many consumers realize, especially when exposed to sunlight or temperature changes.
“Low-quality plastic breaks down faster, releasing particles that end up directly in the water people drink,” Sajedi said.
As bottles age on store shelves, in warehouses, or inside vehicles, shedding rates may increase, potentially raising exposure without consumers noticing a change in taste or smell.
The findings also reveal major gaps in scientific measurement, with no universal standards for detecting or tracking plastic particles inside the body.
“Some laboratory tools can find extremely tiny particles but can’t identify what they’re made of,” she explained.
“Others show the material type but miss the smallest plastics entirely.”
The most accurate detection tools, she added, remain too costly for widespread use, limiting research progress.
Health experts caution that while microplastics have been linked to inflammation, hormone disruption, and cellular stress, more studies are required before drawing definitive conclusions.
“The issue is not acute poisoning,” Sajedi stressed. “It’s chronic toxicity—effects that build quietly over time.”
International environmental groups have welcomed the report, saying it highlights an overlooked health matter.
“Plastic bags and straws get attention, but water bottles are one of the biggest contributors to microplastic exposure,” said an environmental health advocate who reviewed the study.
Governments worldwide have begun restricting single-use plastics, although the policies rarely include bottled water.
Sajedi believes meaningful change starts with awareness rather than fear. “Education is the most important action we can take,” she said.
She urges schools, retailers, and public health agencies to communicate the risks and encourage safer habits, such as reusable bottles and trusted tap-water systems.
“If people understand the risks, they can make informed choices,” she added. “That is where prevention truly begins.”
For now, the research community is calling for standardized testing tools, improved regulation, and new materials that do not degrade into harmful particles.
“We’re not saying panic,” Sajedi concluded. “We’re saying pay attention. The long-term health of millions depends on it.”
