Study: Plastic Bottled Water Contains Up to 100 Times More Nanoplastic Than Previously Estimated

Yet another reason to filter and bottle your own water. A new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that bottled water contains up to 240,000 plastic particles, 100 times more tiny pieces of plastic than was previously estimated. The scientists were able to find microscopic bits of plastic, called nanoplastics (which are particles less than 1 micrometer), by probing samples with lasers that were tuned to make specific molecules resonate. ...[READ MORE]

Bottled drinking water contains a quarter million invisible nanoplastic particles, scientists find

The average liter of bottled water has nearly a quarter million invisible pieces of ever so tiny nanoplastics, detected and categorized for the first time by a microscope using dual lasers. Scientists long figured there were lots of these microscopic plastic pieces, but until researchers at Columbia and Rutgers universities did their calculations they never knew how many or what kind. Looking at five samples each of three common bottled water brands, researchers found particle levels ranged ...[READ MORE]

Help Extend Water Quality Protections to Tribal Waters

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed a new rule that would institute federal baseline water quality standards (WQS) for the waters on over 250 Tribal lands throughout the country. Critically, these areas do not currently have water quality standards in effect under the Clean Water Act. If finalized, this rule would establish important water quality protections for Tribal waters  similar to the majority of waters across  the United States that are protected ...[READ MORE]

Documentary series examines drinking water pollution on Hulu

A three-part documentary series that looks at how environmental pollution, climate change and aging infrastructure are gradually eroding the ability for more and more communities across the United States to have access to free and potable drinking water debuted this past weekend. “Our America: Trouble on Tap” is produced by Tracy J. Wholf, coordinating producer of the climate unit at ABC News, and ABC Owned Television Stations Executive Producer Justin Allen. The series premiered Friday ...[READ MORE]

Politicians Are Drinking the Water in East Palestine to ‘Prove’ It’s Safe

OHIO GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE Politicians from Ohio and elsewhere are trying to “prove” the water in East Palestine is safe enough to drink—by chugging it themselves. More than two weeks after a massive Norfolk Southern freight train carrying toxic chemicals derailed, spilling five rail cars of toxic vinyl chloride and forcing local agencies to light a “controlled burn” to avoid an explosion, politicians have started flocking into town for a performative taste test. READ MORE

Over 1 Million Gallons of Contaminated Water Excavated From Ohio Train Derailment Site

A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo) About 15,000 pounds of contaminated soil and 1.1 million gallons of contaminated water have been excavated from the site of a train derailment earlier this month in East Palestine, Ohio, train operator Norfolk Southern said on Feb. 20. The announcement comes shortly ...[READ MORE]

Asbestos In Drinking Water

For most of the 20th century, asbestos had been used in municipal water, wastewater and stormwater systems. As these water systems develop cracks and degrade over time, the danger of asbestos leaching into the water supply grows.Asbestos in the water supply at certain levels poses a health risk to the general public. READ MORE