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Assessment of Storage-Induced Microplastic Generation, Polymer Characteristics, and Human Exposure Risks in Bottled and Sachet Drinking Water Under Different Environmental Conditions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
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Leaving bottled or sachet water in hot conditions—like a car trunk or direct sunlight—causes tiny plastic particles to leach into the water, and the longer and hotter the storage, the more particles accumulate. Water sold in thin plastic sachets (common in Nigeria) was even more prone to this than bottled water. The takeaway: store your drinking water somewhere cool and shaded, and try not to let it sit around for months, since heat and time are what really drive plastic contamination.
Microplastic contamination of drinking water is an emerging environmental and public health concern, especially in tropical regions where packaged water is often exposed to high temperatures and sunlight. This study investigated the effects of storage conditions and duration on microplastic generation in bottled and sachet drinking water commonly consumed in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. Ten popular brands (five bottled and five sachet) were subjected to four storage conditions: indoor control (25 ± 2°C), ambient market storage (28–32°C), direct sunlight exposure (30–40°C), and elevated temperature (45 ± 2°C). Samples were analysed at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days using membrane filtration, stereomicroscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA, and multiple regression at p < 0.05. Results showed a progressive and significant increase in microplastic concentrations with storage duration and harsher conditions. At 90 days, the highest concentrations were recorded under elevated temperature storage (58.7 ± 18.2 particles/L in bottled water and 78.5 ± 22.7 particles/L in sachet water), while the lowest levels occurred under indoor control conditions (11.8 ± 3.2 particles/L in bottled water and 15.0 ± 5.8 particles/L in sachet water). One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences among storage conditions (F = 58.42, p < 0.001). Sachet water exhibited higher microplastic levels than bottled water, though the difference was not statistically significant at Day 90 (p = 0.085). Fragments (40.3%) and fibers (34.4%) dominated the microplastics, with over 72% of particles smaller than 500 μm. FTIR analysis identified PET (38.0%), PE (27.6%), and PP (20.6%) as the predominant polymers. Strong positive correlations were observed between storage temperature and microplastic concentration (r = 0.842, p < 0.001) and storage duration (r = 0.791, p < 0.001). Multiple regression confirmed temperature and duration as significant predictors (R² = 0.998). The study concludes that prolonged storage under elevated temperatures and direct sunlight significantly accelerates microplastic release from packaging materials into drinking water, with sachet water being more vulnerable. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved storage practices, better packaging standards, and regulatory guidelines to reduce human exposure to microplastics in tropical environments.
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Assessment of Impact of Sunlight Exposure On Occurrence of Micro Plastic in Selected Packaged Water Sold in Ilorin Metropolis
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Microplastic concentrations in packaged drinking water in Ilorin, Nigeria ranged from 5 to 18 particles per liter, with sachet water showing higher contamination and Microplastic Pollution Index values reaching very high risk (100%) compared to mostly low-risk bottled water. Sunlight exposure accelerated plastic degradation in sachet packaging, indicating that single-use flexible packaging poses a greater contamination risk than rigid bottles.
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This study investigated how UV radiation affects the release of microplastics from polyethylene-packaged sachet water in Nigeria, finding that UV exposure accelerates plastic degradation and increases particle release into the water. The findings raise public health concerns about microplastic ingestion from a widely used water packaging format in Africa.
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Researchers investigated the impact of sunlight exposure on sachet water in Calabar, Nigeria, finding that the common practice of exposing polyethylene-packaged potable water to sunlight before sale promotes leaching of heavy metals and chemical components from the plastic packaging into the drinking water.
Health and environmental impacts of sachet water consumption and sachet plastic waste in Nigeria: a scoping review
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This review of 20 studies found that "sachet water" — cheap bagged drinking water widely used in Nigeria — is often contaminated with harmful bacteria, heavy metals, and chemicals like phthalates, sometimes at levels exceeding WHO safety limits, especially when exposed to heat and sunlight. Beyond health risks from drinking it, the plastic sachets themselves create major environmental problems, contributing to flooding, clogged drains, and microplastic pollution. The findings suggest that a water source millions rely on for safety may actually pose real health risks, highlighting the need for better regulation and waste management
Uv-vis and FTIR Characterisation of Photodegradation Kinetics and Thermal Induced Degradation of Pet-derived Microplastic Leachates in Packaged Drinking Water
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Leaving bottled water in the sun or in a hot car isn't just bad for taste, this study found that heat and sunlight actually break down the plastic (PET) bottles at a chemical level, causing them to shed more microplastic-related compounds into the water. The hotter the temperature, the more breakdown occurred, suggesting that how we store bottled water could affect how many plastic particles and chemicals end up in what we drink. More research is needed to know exactly what this means for our health, but it's a good reminder to keep water bottles out of direct heat and sunlight when possible.
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