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Microplastics, bottled water and science communication: an environmental health governance analysis in Georgia
Summary
This study isn't about whether bottled water actually harms your health—instead, it looks at how well the country of Georgia is informing the public about microplastic risks from bottled water. Researchers found that most of the health information came from just one specialized public health website, with very little independent media coverage on major TV news outlets, suggesting everyday people may not be getting enough accessible, trustworthy information to make informed choices. The takeaway: as concern about microplastics grows, having diverse, credible sources of health information matters just as much as the science itself.
Background Plastic pollution and microplastic contamination represent emerging environmental health risks with increasing implications for human exposure. Bottled drinking water has been identified as a potential source of microplastic ingestion, while public communication plays a critical role in risk awareness and policy development. Objective To analyse environmental health communication related to plastic bottles, bottled water safety, and microplastic contamination disseminated across Georgian media platforms between January 2024 and March 2026. Methods A mixed-methods analytical approach was applied combining a structured literature review, comparative environmental policy analysis, and media communication dataset analysis. Environmental health communication publications addressing plastic pollution and microplastic exposure disseminated in Georgian public health communication platforms and national media outlets between January 2024 and March 2026 were systematically identified and analysed. Results A total of 31 environmental health communication publications addressing plastic pollution, bottled water safety, and microplastic exposure were identified for the period January 2024 to March 2026. The majority originated from specialised public health communication platforms within the PHIG ecosystem, particularly Sheniekimi.ge, which accounted for 26 publications (83.9%). An additional five publications appeared in Georgian media outlets quoting or referencing Professor Giorgi Pkhakadze. Targeted screening of major Georgian media portals identified only a small number of independent media reports discussing potential health risks associated with plastic exposure, particularly on national television portals such as Rustavi2 and Imedi News. Conclusion Environmental health communication related to plastic pollution and bottled water safety has increased significantly in Georgia in recent years. Independent public health institutions may play an important role in strengthening evidence-based risk communication and supporting environmental health protection. Keywords microplastics; bottled drinking water; plastic pollution; environmental health policy; science communication; public health governance; Georgia.