During a visit to Phi Phi Island in Thailand, Sarah Sajedi observed the scenic beauty of the Andaman Sea, contrasted sharply by the plastic debris littering the beach, primarily from plastic bottles. This experience prompted Sajedi, a cofounder of an environmental software company, to pursue research on the impact of plastic consumption on health.

As a doctoral student at Concordia University in Canada, Sajedi reviewed over 140 scientific papers to assess the effects of plastic bottles on human health. The findings indicate that individuals ingest between 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles annually from food and drinking water, with daily bottled water users consuming nearly 90,000 additional particles. Sajedi cautions that while drinking bottled water may be acceptable in emergencies, it should not be a regular practice due to potential chronic health risks.

Microplastics, defined as plastic particles ranging from 1 micrometer to 5 mm, and nanoplastics, which are smaller than one micrometer, are generated during the lifecycle of plastic bottles. These particles are not visible to the naked eye and are released through various processes, including manufacturing and degradation. Low-quality plastics are particularly susceptible to breaking down into smaller particles due to environmental factors.

Once ingested, microplastics can enter the bloodstream and affect vital organs, potentially leading to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal disruptions, reproductive issues, and neurological damage. Although there is a correlation with certain cancers, the long-term health effects remain largely unknown due to insufficient research and standardized testing methods.

Current analytical techniques for detecting micro- and nanoplastics vary in effectiveness, with some capable of identifying small particles but lacking in compositional analysis, while others can analyze composition but miss the smallest particles. The high cost of the most reliable detection instruments limits access for many research institutions, hindering comprehensive global studies.

While governments worldwide are beginning to legislate against plastic waste, regulations primarily target items like plastic bags and straws, leaving plastic bottles largely unregulated despite their potential health implications. Some regions in the U.S. and Canada have initiated positive measures, but a cohesive global regulatory framework is still developing.

Plastic pollution poses not only an environmental challenge but also a public health concern. Access to safe drinking water is recognized as a fundamental human right, yet a sustainable water supply that does not rely on plastic bottles is essential for long-term health and equity. Sajedi's research, inspired by her observations on Phi Phi Island, aims to raise awareness about the often-invisible pollution and its implications for society.