These days, bottled water seems to be everywhere. Whether you're dining out, attending a wedding, traveling by bus or train, or sitting in a seminar or meeting, a water bottle is always within reach. It's almost become a status symbol to drink from a sealed water bottle rather than a glass. This mindset has deeply ingrained itself into our daily lives.
Alarming Facts Revealed by Research 📊
A recent joint study by Columbia University and Rutgers University has uncovered shocking truths about packaged water bottles. Drinking water from these bottles is like paying to consume diseases. The research found that every liter of bottled water contains around 240,000 nano plastic particles, which is 10 to 100 times more than previously estimated. These findings were published in the National Academy of Sciences in the USA.
What are Nano Plastics? 🧬
Nano plastics are extremely tiny plastic particles that are invisible to the naked eye and dissolve in water. These particles can cause severe health issues as they easily enter the bloodstream, potentially damaging organs, immune systems, and reproductive capabilities. Doctors warn that these particles pose a risk to the heart as well.
How Serious is the Threat? ⚠️
Until recently, not much research had been conducted in this area. However, the increasing use of packaged water bottles globally prompted scientists to investigate. They found that American companies’ bottled water contained nano plastics, including polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and polymethyl methacrylate. These particles were found to have serious health impacts, including risks of cancer, kidney, and liver diseases, diabetes, and weight gain. Pregnant women drinking this water could also affect their unborn children, potentially causing early puberty in girls.
The Explosive Growth of Bottled Water Usage 🌍
In the last decade, the global use of plastic water bottles has increased by over 70%. This trend has spread rapidly, with bottled water now being a common purchase even in small towns. According to data from Statista, the global bottled water market was worth around ₹28 lakh crores in 2023. It is projected to reach ₹42-43 lakh crores by 2030. Countries like the USA, China, Mexico, and Indonesia are the largest consumers.
The Indian Scenario 🇮🇳
In India, the bottled water culture has been growing significantly, with the market valued at around ₹1.8 lakh crores in 2022. This is expected to reach ₹3 lakh crores in the next six years. Every minute, around 10 lakh water bottles are sold globally. The materials used in these disposable bottles are harmful to both the environment and human health. These bottles release around 4 to 4.5 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually. In India, over 35 lakh tons of plastic waste accumulate each year, doubling in the last five years.
Historical Perspective: Back to Basics 📜
Historically, people used natural water sources and carried water in leather pouches, bamboo containers, and metal vessels. These methods were environmentally friendly and posed no health risks. However, with the advent of the plastic era, bottled water became a status symbol and a perceived necessity for safe drinking water.
What Can We Do? 🌿
Given the recent research, it’s time to rethink our reliance on packaged water. Clean tap water, when properly purified, is a safer and more sustainable option. We need to shift back to basics and find ways to reduce our plastic consumption for our health and the planet.
