Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

First evidence of microplastic contamination in bottled herbal distillates: A quantitative and qualitative assessment of Iranian brands

Researchers detected microplastics in 92% of Iranian bottled herbal distillate samples, finding an average contamination level of 7.32 particles per liter, primarily fibers and fragments smaller than 500 micrometers in transparent, white, or black colors. The study provides the first evidence of microplastic contamination in bottled herbal distillates, implicating plastic packaging used during production, transportation, and storage as potential contamination sources.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances
Article Tier 2

Prevalence and characteristics of microplastic contamination in soft drinks and potential consumer exposure

Researchers tested nine popular soft drink brands in Thailand and found microplastics in every single one, regardless of whether the packaging was plastic, aluminum, or glass. Concentrations ranged from 2 to 39 particles per liter, with most particles being tiny fragments between 50 and 100 micrometers. Based on average soft drink consumption, a person in Thailand could swallow between 81 and 1,609 microplastic particles per year just from soft drinks alone.

2024 Journal of Environmental Management 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Prevalence of microplastics in commercially sold soft drinks and human risk assessment

Researchers tested ten brands of soft drinks sold in Turkey and found microplastics in every single one, with 80% of samples showing high contamination levels. On average, consumers are exposed to about nine microplastic particles per liter of soft drink, likely originating from the bottling process and packaging materials. This study adds soft drinks to the growing list of everyday beverages through which people regularly consume microplastics.

2023 Journal of Environmental Management 99 citations
Review Tier 2

Scientific studies on microplastics pollution in Iran: An in-depth review of the published articles

This review synthesized published data on microplastic pollution across Iran's ecosystems, finding that 70% of studies focused on the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea with minimal coverage of terrestrial environments, and documenting the presence of microplastics in commercial salt and bottled mineral water consumed by the Iranian population.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 68 citations
Article Tier 2

Human exposure to microplastics via the consumption of nonalcoholic beverages in various packaging materials: The case of Hong Kong

Researchers tested 50 packaged nonalcoholic beverages in Hong Kong and found microplastics in every single one, with an estimated annual intake of about 6,200 microplastic particles per person from beverages alone. The contamination came from both the packaging materials and airborne particles during manufacturing, showing that everyday drinks are a meaningful source of human microplastic exposure.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in South African beverages

Researchers measured microplastic occurrence and characterized particles found in multiple South African beverages including bottled water, soft drinks, and juice, finding plastic contamination across all categories. The study assessed associated human dietary exposure from beverage consumption.

2024 Environmental Pollution 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Contamination in Nonalcoholic Beverages from the Italian Market

Researchers tested nonalcoholic beverages including soft drinks and cold tea from Italian supermarkets for microplastic contamination. They found microplastics, predominantly fibers, in most samples, averaging about 9 particles per liter. The study confirms that beverage consumption is a meaningful pathway for human microplastic ingestion, adding to growing evidence of widespread plastic contamination in food and drink products.

2023 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 49 citations
Article Tier 2

First study of its kind on the microplastic contamination of soft drinks, cold tea and energy drinks - Future research and environmental considerations

Researchers conducted the first study of microplastic contamination in soft drinks, energy drinks, and cold tea, analyzing 57 beverage samples from 27 brands in Mexico. They found microplastics in 84% of samples, with particle counts ranging up to 28 per liter, composed of polymers like polyamide and polyethylene terephthalate from textiles and packaging. The study also raises the concern that human excretion of ingested microplastics could further spread contamination into the environment.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 412 citations
Article Tier 2

Hidden risk of microplastics in milk tea and coffee: A case study from China's freshly-made beverage market

Researchers tested 105 freshly made milk tea and coffee drinks from seven popular brands in China and found microplastics in 93% of the samples. The average cup contained about 10 particles, primarily polyamide, polyurethane, and PET, which likely originated from the surrounding environment rather than the ingredients themselves. The study estimates that Chinese adults may consume around 25 microplastic particles per kilogram of body weight each year from these beverages alone.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigating the pollution of bottled water by the microplastics (MPs): the effects of mechanical stress, sunlight exposure, and freezing on MPs release

Researchers analyzed 23 popular Iranian brands of bottled water and found microplastic contamination in all samples, averaging about 1,500 particles per liter with over 90 percent smaller than 10 micrometers. Mechanical stress on bottles significantly increased microplastic release, while sunlight exposure caused the most polymer degradation. The study indicates that regardless of brand or source, bottled water contains hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles per liter.

2022 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 47 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Malaysian bottled water brands: Occurrence and potential human exposure

Researchers tested eight major bottled water brands sold in Malaysia and found microplastic particles in all of them, with concentrations varying significantly between brands. The most common types were fragments and fibers made of polyethylene and polypropylene. The study estimates daily microplastic intake from bottled water consumption and highlights the need for quality standards addressing microplastic contamination in drinking water.

2022 Environmental Pollution 99 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of anthropogenic particles content in commercial beverages

Researchers tested 73 commercially available beverages in different containers for the presence of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles. The study found contamination across all beverage types, with beer showing the highest particle counts and water the lowest, suggesting that the type of packaging and production process both influence how many particles end up in the drinks we consume.

2024 Food Chemistry 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in some beverages marketed in türkiye: Characteristics, dietary exposure and risk assessment

Researchers tested 47 different beverages sold in Turkey and found microplastics in about one in five samples, with cold tea showing the highest contamination levels. While the estimated daily intake from these beverages was considered a low physical health risk, the study confirms that packaged drinks are a routine source of microplastic exposure for consumers.

2024 Food and Chemical Toxicology 32 citations
Article Tier 2

Synthetic microplastics in hot and cold beverages from the UK market: Comprehensive assessment of human exposure via total beverage intake

Researchers tested 155 common hot and cold beverages from UK stores and found microplastics in every single sample. Hot tea had the highest levels at about 60 particles per liter, and hot beverages consistently contained more microplastics than cold ones, suggesting that heat causes more plastic to leach from packaging. Based on typical UK drinking habits, the estimated daily microplastic intake from beverages alone was 3,432 to 6,864 particles per person.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Analisis Mikroplastik Pada Air Minum Dalam Kemasan Di Kota Padang

Researchers analyzed microplastics in 30 bottled water samples from three brands in Padang, Indonesia, finding contamination in all samples at concentrations of 5-11 particles per liter. Fragment morphotypes dominated, followed by fibers and pellets, and significant differences in microplastic abundance were found between brands, raising consumer safety concerns in the Indonesian context.

2024 METANA
Article Tier 2

Prevalence and health risks of microplastics in bottled water and beverages: A food safety concern

This review consolidates evidence on microplastic contamination in bottled water and commercial beverages, finding concentrations ranging from a handful to several hundred particles per liter depending on packaging material and beverage type. The most commonly detected polymers were PET, polypropylene, and polyethylene, primarily from bottle degradation and bottling processes, with children and frequent consumers facing increased exposure.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials Plastics 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in commercial food and drink products and associated risk of potential human intake in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Researchers tested 112 food and drink products from markets in Saudi Arabia and found microplastics in all of them, with tea bags containing the highest levels at over 600 particles per bag. Based on typical consumption patterns, tea bag users face the greatest daily microplastic intake, followed by bottled water drinkers, underscoring how common foods and beverages are a significant source of human microplastic exposure.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Smaller-sized micro-plastics (MPs) contamination in single-use PET-bottled water in Thailand.

This study quantified microplastics in ten brands of single-use PET-bottled water sold in Thailand, finding an average of 140 particles per liter using fluorescent staining. The results add to global evidence that bottled water is a consistent route of human microplastic exposure and suggest that plastic packaging is a likely contamination source.

2020 The Science of the total environment
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and health risk assessment of microplastics in beverages and ice packs

Researchers found an average of 183 microplastic particles per liter in beverages and 179 particles per liter in ice packs, mostly polypropylene and PET from packaging. Adults are estimated to consume about 5.5 microplastic particles per kilogram of body weight daily through beverages, making packaged drinks a significant and underappreciated source of human microplastic exposure.

2025 Scientific Reports 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Microplastics in Tap Water Supply Network in Iran

Researchers analyzed tap water samples from the drinking water distribution system in Isfahan, Iran, and found microplastics present in all samples tested. The most common types were fibers made of polyethylene and polypropylene, with concentrations varying across different points in the distribution network. The study estimates human microplastic exposure from tap water consumption in the region and highlights the need for improved water treatment to address this emerging contaminant.

2024 Health Scope 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro-and nanoplastic contamination in beverages in Vietnam

This study measured micro- and nanoplastic contamination in bottled water, soft drinks, and teas sold in Vietnam, finding plastic particles in all tested beverages. Bottled water contained an average of 46,000 nanoplastic particles per milliliter, while sugary drinks had roughly 19,100 nanoplastic particles per milliliter. The findings represent the first survey of plastic contamination in beverages in Vietnam and highlight that everyday drinks may be a significant source of human microplastic exposure.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification, Quantification, and Presence of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Beverages Around the World

Researchers reviewed studies from around the world examining microplastics in beverages including water, beer, soft drinks, and other drinks. They found microplastics were present in virtually all beverage types tested, with concentrations ranging widely and particles originating from water sources, packaging materials, and processing surfaces. The findings raise concerns about ongoing low-level human exposure through everyday drinks.

2024 4 citations
Article Tier 2

First assessment of occurrence, characteristics and human exposure of microplastics in bottled drinking water, Nepal

Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastics in bottled drinking water from Nepal's mountain, hill, and Terai regions, finding microplastics in all 35 samples tested (mean 118 items/L), with fiber-shaped particles dominating at 71.76%, establishing a baseline for this developing-country context.

2025 Cleaner Water
Article Tier 2

First evidence of microplastics and their characterization in bottled drinking water from a developing country

Scientists in a developing country analyzed 10 brands of bottled drinking water and found microplastics in all samples, with concentrations varying by brand. The most common particles were polyethylene and polypropylene fragments and fibers, likely originating from the plastic bottle caps and packaging. This study adds to evidence that bottled water is a significant source of daily microplastic intake for people worldwide.

2023 Frontiers in Environmental Science 36 citations