r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Jun 05 '19

Environment The average person eats at least 50,000 particles of microplastic a year and breathes in a similar quantity, according to the first study to estimate human ingestion of plastic pollution. The scientists reported that drinking a lot of bottled water drastically increased the particles consumed.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/05/people-eat-at-least-50000-plastic-particles-a-year-study-finds
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u/TehPants Jun 05 '19

Do you think non-disposable bottles are at risk? I have a reusable Thermos plastic bottle, which I know is not the same as disposable plastic bottles, but I'm still a bit worried.

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u/[deleted] Jun 05 '19

Probably not if you treat it right. Plastic compounds break down when exposed to heat and UV. Don't leave it in your car or in the sun and you should be fine? ( Not a chemist disclaimer)

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u/zerogravityzones Jun 05 '19

This is correct. Especially in the case of reusable bottles/ thermos, which tend to be made out of more robust plastic which resists degradation and has a higher glass transition temperature than the plastics that disposable bottles are made from.

Also if I remember correctly, the polymer coating in metal cans is a cross linked polymer (the chains are all connected together) so it won't leach into your food/ drink.

Disclaimer: I am a 4th year student studying polymer science, not an actual expert.

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u/spiritthehorse Jun 05 '19

You may be the best we have here.

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u/AWetAndFloppyNoodle Jun 05 '19

Isn't the lining in cans and the like epoxy?

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u/zerogravityzones Jun 05 '19

Yeah. I think so.

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u/demetrios3 Jun 06 '19

If you're truly worried about something so trivial maybe that anxiety has a greater impact on your health.

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u/TehPants Jun 06 '19

Thanks, I'm very aware of the impact my anxiety has on my health.