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Generation of microplastics from the opening and closing of disposable plastic water bottles
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Researchers found that the physical act of opening and closing disposable plastic water bottle caps releases microplastic particles into the bottle contents, with particle counts increasing with repeated use and mechanical wear.
There has recently been a significant increase in interest regarding the prevalence of microplastics in bottled water. Previous studies have shown that the composition of many of the microplastics in bottled water is consistent with the materials of the bottle and bottle cap. The focus of this study is to quantify microplastic particle generation from the cap and bottle interaction during open and close cycles. Nile Red dye was used for the detection of microplastics >4.7 μm in size. Microplastic contamination levels in the water were found to increase as the bottle cap is opened and closed repeatedly. The rate of generation of particles with bottle opening and closing cycles (553 ± 202 microplastics/L/cycle) is adequate to account for the total particle density in the water. This clearly demonstrates that the abrasion between the bottle cap and bottleneck is the dominant mechanism for the generation of microplastic contamination detected in bottled water. A large spread between the maximum and minimum levels of microplastic contamination for bottles from the same lot, regardless of the number of times the cap is opened and closed, suggests that mechanical tolerances in the manufacturing of bottles and caps might play an important role in microplastic generation.
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The Effect of Different Storage Conditions for Refilled Plastic Drink Bottles on the Concentration of Microplastic Release in Water
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Researchers investigated microplastic release from reused plastic water bottles under different storage conditions and timeframes, finding that bottle reuse and prolonged storage increase the concentration of microplastics released into the contained water.
Mechanical stress-induced microplastic release from bottle caps: Insights on material properties and their impact on cellular toxicity
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This study quantifies microplastic particles shed from plastic bottle caps when subjected to repeated mechanical stress, such as opening and closing. Experiments show that physical abrasion releases measurable quantities of microplastic fragments and particles, which can contaminate the beverage contents or the surrounding environment. The results suggest that bottle caps represent an overlooked point-of-use source of microplastic exposure for consumers.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.