Tag Archives: bottle

You might be cleaning your reusable water bottle incorrectly

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Observing people around your local park, office, or city center, you will likely see many individuals using reusable water bottles. This trend has become a fashion statement and a social connector, in addition to being an environmentally conscious choice. According to NHS health guidelines, drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day from reusable bottles can reduce environmental impact by cutting down on single-use plastic consumption.

However, while using a water bottle is seen as a positive and healthy choice for the planet, there are hidden risks associated with not cleaning them properly. A study by WaterFilterGuru revealed that if water bottles are not cleaned regularly, they can harbor bacteria and mold on their surfaces, leading to potential health issues if consumed.

What is living in your water bottle?

Water, even from a kitchen faucet, is not sterile and can promote bacterial growth within a few days of filling a bottle. Storing water at room temperature can increase microbial growth, while refrigeration can help reduce the proliferation of microorganisms. Microorganisms in water bottles can come from the water itself, but most are transferred from the consumer’s body or surrounding environment.

Various microorganisms found in water bottles include skin and oral bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, which are normally harmless but can cause infections if ingested. Additionally, water bottles can harbor gut bacteria like Escherichia Coli, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues if consumed. Pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to illnesses caused by contaminated water.

The type of liquid used in water bottles also influences microbial growth, with sugary or nutrient-rich drinks creating an optimal environment for bacteria and mold. Even carbonated water, while having antibacterial properties, requires regular cleaning to prevent the accumulation of harmful pathogens.

How to clean a water bottle

Regular cleaning of reusable water bottles is essential to prevent the buildup of bacteria and mold. Washing the bottle with hot water and detergent, letting it soak, and ensuring complete drying can help maintain hygiene. For heavily soiled bottles, a vinegar-water solution can be used for deeper cleaning. It is recommended to clean bottles and accessories like lids and straws after each use or at least several times a week to avoid contamination.

While proper hygiene practices are important to prevent illness, our immune systems are resilient and have evolved to protect us from various pathogens. By maintaining cleanliness and regular cleaning routines, we can continue to enjoy the benefits of using reusable water bottles while staying healthy.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

1 Liter Water Bottle Can Hold 240,000 Plastic Particles

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Scientists used lasers to identify plastic particles in water bottles

Naixin Qian, Columbia University

One liter water bottle can contain 240,000 microscopic plastic particles. The health effects of ingesting plastic are not clear, but early research suggests that such particles can travel to various organs in the body.

Millions of tonnes of plastic are produced every year as a result of human activities such as fishing and household waste. Most of this is made up of microplastics with diameters between 1 micrometer and 5 millimeters.

Previous studies have suggested that microplastics may act as carriers. Transport of pollutants and Pathogensay Yan Beizan At Columbia University in New York.

Plastic fragments less than 1 micrometer in diameter are known as nanoplastics and can pose an even bigger concern than microplastics. Their smaller size means they may have a better chance of penetrating the body's intestinal lining. placenta And even the blood-brain barrier, Yang says.

Nanoplastics are difficult to detect due to their large size, but Yang and his colleagues have developed an innovative technique to detect them.

The researchers took six 1-liter bottles of private-label water from three unnamed U.S. supermarkets and shot them with a laser that vibrated when they encountered plastic debris. On average, each bottle contained approximately 240,000 plastic particles. Up to 100x more than previous studies.

The type of plastic in the water was determined from the intensity of the laser's vibrations, and approximately 90% of it was nanoplastic. He was only able to identify 10% of this, but it contained polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the raw material for bottles.

There's no reason why other U.S. water bottles or water bottles from other countries wouldn't have similar amounts of nanoplastics, but this needs to be verified in independent research, Yang said.

In the future, researchers hope to improve the technique to identify more nanoplastics in water, he said.

shelley mason Researchers at Penn State University called the study “a very impressive and groundbreaking study.”

“We know that plastics emit particles, just as human skin cells continually shed particles, but being able to quantify and identify these plastic particles to the nanoplastic range is important for human health. “This is important for advancing our understanding of the impact on the human body,” she says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com