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Micro-and nanoplastics in biological samples following a drinking water intervention in Barcelona, Spain
Summary
This clinical trial studied whether switching between bottled water and tap water changes the levels of micro- and nanoplastics found in people's bodies. In a small crossover study in Barcelona, researchers measured plastic particles in participants' biological samples after periods of drinking different water types. The findings provide early evidence that our choice of drinking water source may directly affect how much plastic we carry in our bodies.
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging contaminants of concern, and drinking water may represent an important exposure pathway. Evidence on internal exposure and contribution of drinking water remains limited. Under the hypothesis that bottled water consumption may lead to higher body burden of MNPs compared to tap water, this exploratory study investigated changes in MNPs and plastic-related additives in human biological samples following sequential changes in drinking water consumption. A randomized crossover intervention was conducted in volunteers (N = 3) sequentially switching between tap and bottled water consumption in randomized phases during 7 weeks (May-July 2022) in Barcelona, Spain. Stool (N = 48), urine (N = 48), tap water (N = 24), and bottled water (N = 2) samples were collected. MNP polymers 0.7-20 µm and chemicals used as additives in plastic production were quantified in biological samples through double suspect screening using high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. Microplastics >1 µm in water were analyzed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. MNP polymers were detected in N = 40 (83%) stool samples and were above quantification limits (QL) in N = 30 (63%). Polyethylene was > QL in N = 20 (42%), polyamide in N = 8 (17%), polypropylene in N = 8 (17%), and polyoxymethylene in N = 2 (4%) samples. Detection rates were lower in urine samples. Plastic-related additives were identified in all urine samples, N = 27 different additives, with N = 15 > QL (median concentration range: 0.03-2196 µg/L). Microplastic polymers including polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride were found in 62% of tap water samples (median total concentration: 0.18 µg/L), and polyethylene was detected in bottled water. Within the scope of this exploratory study, no significant differences between phases were found in MNP polymers and plastic additives concentrations in biological samples. Low detection rates of MNP polymers in stool and urine limited the statistical power. Larger, controlled studies are needed to further evaluate the contribution of drinking water on human MNP exposure.