A live demonstration took place at Expo 2020 Dubai of a new water purification system being introduced in the UAE. Picture: Bluewater
A live demonstration took place at Expo 2020 Dubai of a new water purification system being introduced in the UAE. Picture: Bluewater
A live demonstration took place at Expo 2020 Dubai of a new water purification system being introduced in the UAE. Picture: Bluewater
A live demonstration took place at Expo 2020 Dubai of a new water purification system being introduced in the UAE. Picture: Bluewater

Water Week begins at Expo 2020 Dubai with stark warning about microplastics


Patrick Ryan
  • English
  • Arabic

Visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai were warned on Sunday about the dangerous amounts of plastic people inadvertently consume each day.

The warning came during a live demonstration of a water purifier that could drastically reduce the amount of microplastics entering our bodies through the food and drink we consume.

The Sweden pavilion hosted the launch of a system that can remove impurities 400 times smaller than the tiniest viruses, including microplastics.

The live demonstration of the system from Swedish firm Bluewater showed how water contaminated with everything from coffee to ketchup could be purified in no time using the new technology.

The event was part of Expo 2020 Dubai Water Week, which runs from Sunday to Saturday, March 20 to 26.

“Sweden ranks at number eight on the Environmental Performance Index, while the UAE is the leader in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region,” said Massoud Biouki, trade commissioner of Sweden to the UAE.

“We’re delighted that a Swedish company can participate in the UAE’s sustainability journey and help share our experience and expertise to bolster the UAE’s green credentials further.”

One in four people worldwide (2 billion) lack access to safe drinking water, while half (3.6bn) lack safe sanitation and 2.3 go without basic handwashing facilities in their homes, said organisers of the event.

“We are proud to make our health and lifestyle-enhancing, super-efficient water purification solutions and premium bottles more accessible throughout the UAE and GCC,” said Bengt Rittri, the Swedish environmental entrepreneur behind Bluewater.

Research conducted in 2020 showed that the average person eats five grams of plastic each week, the equivalent of a credit card.

That was among the findings of a study by the World Wildlife Fund, carried out by the University of Newcastle, Australia.

The same report revealed that people consume 2,000 tiny pieces of plastic each week, around 21 grams per month.

Microplastics were detected in 93 per cent of the globally sourced bottled waters tested in the study, which worked out at twice the levels previously recorded in tap water samples.

Pollution clean-up to create Gaza's first ever nature reserve: in pictures

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Company Profile:

Name: The Protein Bakeshop

Date of start: 2013

Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani

Based: Dubai

Size, number of employees: 12

Funding/investors:  $400,000 (2018) 

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

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Ticket prices

General admission Dh295 (under-three free)

Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free

Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets

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THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma

When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

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Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

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Poacher
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While you're here
Updated: March 21, 2022, 3:16 AM`