The World Health Organisation has announced a review into the potential risks of plastic in drinking bottled water after a new analysis of some of the world’s most popular bottled water brands found that more than 90% contained tiny pieces of plastic.
In the new study, conducted by scientists based at the State University of New York in Fredonia, the analysis of 259 bottles from 19 locations in nine countries from 11 different brands found an average of 325 plastic particles for every litre of water being sold.
Want to get even more freaked out?
According to the study, concentrations were as high as 10,000 plastic pieces for every litre of water. Of the 259 bottles tested, only 17 were free of plastics. And while tap water showed better results, it’s not entire safe either. The brands tested were: Aqua (Danone), Aquafina (PepsiCo), Bisleri (Bisleri International), Dasani (Coca-Cola), Epura (PepsiCo), Evian (Danone), Gerolsteiner (Gerolsteiner Brunnen), Minalba (Grupo Edson Queiroz), Nestlé Pure Life (Nestlé), San Pellegrino (Nestlé) and Wahaha (Hangzhou Wahaha Group). So, essentially, all your favourite water brands have loads of tiny bits of plastic floating around the stuff you use to keep hydrated and to make sure your skin is looking on tip-top shape.
What effect will this have on our health? Well, it’s very unclear as of yet. As much as 90% of ingested plastic could pass through a human body, but some of it may end up lodged in the gut, or traveling through the lymphatic system, according to research by the European Food Safety Authority.
The danger of plastic consumption had already been made clear when we found out we were actually ingesting it through the fish we eat… When, you know, we weren’t killing marine life by dumping loads of it into our oceans. But to know that plastic is present into 90% of the water we consume is pretty scary. It’s time we start rethinking how we use plastic and, more importantly, how we get rid of it.
11 Of The Best Reusable Coffee Mugs Right Now
1 of 11Bamboo reusable cups
These 400ml travel mugs come in 4 cute designs that can brighten up any Monday morning commute. Plus, they are made completely from bamboo fibre and are being sold for just under £10!
2 of 11Keep Cup
The Keep Cup is microwave safe, dishwasher safe and manufactured from recyclable materials. It comes in 3 different sizes (227ml, 240ml, 454ml) and has replaceable components that allow you to change the look of your cup whenever you want.
3 of 11Joco Reusable Glass Coffee Cup
If you're looking for more of a chic glass design then the Joco Reusable Cup has got you covered. It's made from borosilicate glass (the same glass that Pyrex is made from) so it is super strong, but also really light. It costs £22.99 and can hold up to 340ml of hot or cold liquid.
4 of 11Frank Green Smart Cup
Self-proclaimed best coffee cup in the world, the Frank Green Smart Cup's unique design comes in 3 different sizes. Not only this but it's also spill proof and BPA free - all for £26.15.
5 of 11Contigo Travel Mug
The Contigo flask is one of the priciest options (£26.90), but is definitely one of the most professional looking cups on the list. It's dishwasher safe, BPA free and with an auto-seal lid that automatically seals between sips clumsy, Bridget Jones style spillages are a definitely thing of the past. Not to mention its double-wall vacuum-insulation keeps drinks hot for up to 4 hours and cold for up to 12.
6 of 11Cambridge Eco Travel Mug
The Cambridge Eco Travel Mug has loads of cute designs and is hassle free as it is completely dishwasher safe. It can hold up to 400 ml and is one of the list's cheapest cups retailing at just £7.49.
7 of 11King Do Way Coffee Flasks
These scratch resistant bottles are made of double walled stainless-steel meaning that your drinks can stay hot for more than 6 hours. It's £8.49, 100% BPA free and also has lots of different colours to choose from.
8 of 11Bodum Vacuum Travel Mug
The Bodum Travel Mug is another stainless-steel option that features slip proof rubber bands and lids that come in 14 different colours. With a double wall for heat insulation and a price of £12.48, it's no wonder this mug is #1 best seller on Amazon.
9 of 11The Starbucks Reusable Cup
If you prefer to stay loyal to your fav coffee house then look no further than Starbucks's to-go cup. This reusable travel mug holds a Starbucks grande sized drink and is priced at just £6.84.
10 of 11Simplr Glass Travel Cup Coffee Mug
The Simlpr Coffee Cup is the second glass reusable coffee mug on the list, again using borosilicate glass that can keep the heat in but is not too hot to hold. This glass is reflected in the price as the mug does cost £25.00, however it can hold 360 ml, is 100% BPA and most importantly of course is complete reusable!
11 of 11KeepCup Brew Small White Reusable 227ml Espresso Cup
This style of KeepCup is a firm favourite among more seasoned coffee lovers, this small size is perfect for commuting, and you can get it for £19 at Urban Outfitters
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.