I used to be someone who always bought bottled water to fill my refrigerator.

Honestly, I didn't know much about it until after I had kids.

When I went to the market, I would buy a pack of 28 bottles, come home, open one to drink, and take it with me when I went to exercise or went out.

But at some point, those water bottles started to feel scary.

As I raised my daughter, I became more sensitive about 'what we eat'. In the past, I could just drink water casually, but now it starts with, "Is this water really okay?"

These days, the word "microplastics" appears frequently in the news and on social media.

Honestly, it gives me chills to think that it might be in the bottled water on our family table.

In fact, a global study published in 2018 found that an average of over 300 microplastics were detected per liter of bottled water.

Moreover, some products had thousands of particles, which makes it feel like we are drinking a 'plastic cocktail', not water.

What's even more surprising is that most of the sources of these microplastics are the water bottles themselves.

Very fine particles are peeling off from the plastic bottles and flowing into the water we drink.

This phenomenon is said to be worse in bottled water exposed to sunlight or left in a hot car.

It's just like what I used to do. Leaving the water in a hot car and then drinking it again...

It would be easy to just buy it for her, but I insist on using filtered water and bringing a stainless steel tumbler, and I can't let anything slide easily.

When I see everyone buying packs of 48 bottles, I sometimes think, "Am I the only one being overly cautious?" And when friends laugh and say, "What's the big deal about that amount of microplastics?" I can only sigh. But this isn't just about 'a little bit being okay'; it's the problem of it accumulating steadily and unconsciously every day.

So far, there hasn't been a clear statement saying, "Microplastics are this harmful," but there's no reason to intentionally expose my child to such risks.

The biggest problem is when going out. Every time, I have to fill my stainless steel tumbler with filtered water and carry it around, which is honestly a hassle.

But once it becomes a habit, it's okay. I initially just used a Brita filter, but these days I've switched to an under-sink filter system.

My husband also initially said, "Aren't you being too sensitive?" but now he also casually brings a tumbler to work.

It seems that's how people's minds work. Since I'm concerned, he's gradually changing too.

Worrying about plastic isn't just a water issue.

We have so much plastic in our toothpaste, cosmetics, children's toys, disposable forks and spoons, plastic wrap... It's everywhere in our lives.

We can't eliminate it all, but at least my conclusion is to be cautious about what goes into our mouths.

I'm just a mom who worries about our family's meals and my child's health.

Even if it's a bit inconvenient, even if it takes a little more effort, I hope my child drinks cleaner water and grows up in a slightly less harmful environment.

That's why I'm still washing my tumbler instead of buying bottled water today.