Researchers found in bottled water that people around the world drink, dangerous “Eternal chemicals”. What is it and what is dangerous to us?
Specialists of the three scientific centers – the University of Birmingham, the Southern University of Science and Technology of Shenzhen and the University of Hainan, studied water samples from 15 countries. Their conclusions are disappointing: more than 99% of the samples contain PFAS (perfluorinated substances) – chemical compounds that nature is not able to destroy naturally.
The greatest fears are caused by perforated acidic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOS). Traces of these substances were found in almost every bottle of water that scientists checked, regardless of the region of origin. The name “eternal chemicals” did not receive these substances by chance – they can remain in the environment for hundreds of years. But the most alarming is that they are able to accumulate in living organisms and over time to provoke serious health problems.
In the modern world, PFAS is found everywhere: they are added to pesticides, used in the production of non-stick dishes, packaging for food and cosmetics. In wastewater, these substances fall from many household sources. Despite the fact that some varieties of PFAS have already been banned, others are still actively used in industry, although their influence on the ecology has not been fully studied.
For research, scientists took 112 samples of water, spilled in both plastic and glass bottles. Most – 89 samples – fell on non-carbonated water. Samples were bought in ordinary stores and Internet consumers of Great Britain and China. In total, 87 brands were tested, whose water sources are in Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.
During the analysis, it turned out that in purified water, the PFAS content is lower than in the natural mineral. However, the fact that in most cases the concentration of these substances does not exceed the norms established by supervisory authorities.
Particular interest was the study of water water in large cities. Scientists analyzed 41 sample from houses in the British areas – Birmingham, Wuster, Coventry and Derby, where South Staffordshire Water and Seven Trent Water supply water. For comparison, they took 14 samples from Shanzhen residential buildings.
As it turned out, in the water water of the Chinese metropolis,