Papers

61,005 results
|
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
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and non-natural cellulosic particles in Spanish bottled drinking water

Researchers analyzed five top-selling bottled water brands in Spain and found microplastics in all of them, primarily polyester and polyethylene particles likely originating from the PET bottles and caps. While the estimated daily intake from bottled water alone was relatively low, the study adds to evidence that bottled water is a consistent source of microplastic exposure for consumers.

2024 Scientific Reports 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing exposure of the Australian population to microplastics through bottled water consumption

Researchers analyzed 16 brands of bottled water sold in Australia and found microplastics present across all samples tested. The study identified polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene particles, with concentrations varying between brands and water sources. The findings provide the first assessment of microplastic exposure through bottled water consumption for the Australian population and raise questions about the safety of this common drinking water source.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 88 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in bottled water: assessing drinking safety in Nepal

Researchers quantified microplastics in 17 brands of bottled drinking water from five provinces of Nepal using vacuum filtration, finding particles in all brands with concentrations and polymer types suggesting contamination during bottling and from cap materials.

2025 Journal of Water Sanitation and Hygiene for Development
Article Tier 2

Identification of microplastics in bottled water, a potential risk to human health

Microplastics were identified in commercial bottled water in Mexico—the world's leading bottled water consumer—using Nile Red staining and hydrogen peroxide oxidation. The study confirmed bottled water as a significant source of human microplastic ingestion, raising health concerns for consumers relying on this water source.

2024 ECORFAN Journal Republic of Paraguay
Article Tier 2

Low levels of microplastic detected in bottled drinking water for sale in Norway

This study detected microplastics in bottled drinking water sold in Norway, though at relatively low concentrations compared to some previously reported figures. Even low levels are noteworthy because bottled water is marketed as a clean alternative to tap water, and the findings add to growing evidence that plastic packaging itself contributes to plastic ingestion.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Low levels of microplastic detected in bottled drinking water for sale in Norway

This study detected microplastics in bottled drinking water sold in Norway, though at relatively low concentrations compared to some previously reported figures. Even low levels are noteworthy because bottled water is marketed as a clean alternative to tap water, and the findings add to growing evidence that plastic packaging itself contributes to plastic ingestion.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
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

Presence of Microplastic in Bottled Water from Mumbai Market

Researchers tested five top-selling bottled water brands in Mumbai and found microplastics in every single one, with particles averaging about 82 micrometers in size. The contamination was detected across all brands at similar concentrations, suggesting that bottled water — often marketed as pure — is a consistent route of microplastic exposure for consumers.

2024 UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic as an written composition in bottled water: Implications for waste management

This study characterized microplastic contamination in bottled water, identifying common polymer types and particle sizes and discussing implications for waste management and the effectiveness of current filtration in bottling facilities.

2024 Waste Handling and Environmental Monitoring.
Article Tier 2

First evidence of microplastics in bottled water sold in Mexico

Researchers provided the first evidence of microplastic contamination in bottled water sold in Mexico, analyzing ten widely consumed commercial brands. They detected an average of 39.3 particles per liter, with most particles smaller than 500 micrometers, and PET and polypropylene were the dominant polymers, indicating that fragmentation of the bottles and caps is the primary contamination source. The study found that children are the most vulnerable population segment, with the highest relative microplastic intake normalized by body weight.

2026
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of Microplastics in Tap and Bottled Water: Current Knowledge

This review summarizes current research on microplastic contamination in both tap and bottled drinking water. Researchers found that microplastics are present in both water sources, with bottled water generally containing higher concentrations than tap water, and smaller particles being more abundant. The study raises public health concerns and emphasizes the need for improved detection methods and drinking water treatment standards.

2022 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 184 citations
Article Tier 2

Exposure to micro(nano)plastics polymers in water stored in single-use plastic bottles.

Researchers quantified micro(nano)plastics ranging from 700 nm to 20 µm in bottled water from 20 popular Spanish brands, assessing daily consumer exposure risk and raising concern about the widespread presence of plastic polymer particles in single-use bottled water.

2023 Chemosphere
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Spanish bottled water

Researchers analyzed 22 bottled water samples sold in Spain -- packaged in plastic, glass, and cans -- by filtering entire bottle volumes and characterizing particles via micro-FTIR, finding microplastic concentrations of 0-27 particles/L (median 6.67 particles/L) with cellulosic fibers, polyamide, and PET as the dominant polymer types.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and characterization of microplastics in bottled drinking water

Researchers analyzed microplastics in ten bottled water brands and found up to nine microplastic particles per liter, estimating that people who drink only bottled water may ingest over 150 microplastic particles per year — with polypropylene and polystyrene being the most common types found.

2024 Discover Environment 17 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Occurrence, Characteristics, and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Tap Water and Bottled Water, China

This systematic review found microplastic contamination in both tap water and bottled water across China, with bottled water showing especially high levels — up to nearly 9,000 particles per liter for the smallest sizes. Fibers and fragments were the most common forms, and packaging degradation was a major contributor in bottled water. The findings raise practical concerns about microplastic exposure from the water we drink every day.

2025 Environmental Quality Management 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Analytical Review of Microplastics Occurrence in Bottled Water, Tap Water, and Wastewater Treatment Plants

This review analyzes microplastic contamination across bottled water, tap water, and wastewater treatment plants using data from studies worldwide. Researchers found that microplastic levels in drinking water are closely tied to the water source and that packaging type significantly influences contamination, with glass bottles recommended over plastic. The study emphasizes the need for improved water treatment technologies and greater public awareness about microplastic exposure through drinking water.

2024 E3S Web of Conferences 3 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

Occurrence and Assessment of Human Exposure to Microplastic Particles in Bottled Water From Southwest, Nigeria

Researchers tested eight brands of bottled water from southwest Nigeria and found microplastics in all of them, averaging about 15 particles per liter, mostly in the form of fibers. Children were estimated to consume three to four times more microplastics per kilogram of body weight than adults from bottled water. The study adds to growing evidence that bottled water is a significant source of human microplastic exposure, especially for children.

2025 Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research 6 citations
Article Tier 2

FTIR-Based Identification of Microplastics in Commercial Bottled Drinking Water

Scientists found tiny plastic particles in all 10 brands of bottled water they tested, using a special technique to identify the plastic types. These microplastics likely come from the plastic bottles and packaging process itself. While we don't yet know the full health effects of drinking these plastic particles, this study shows that even bottled water isn't free from plastic pollution.

2026 Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of microplastics in commercially sold bottled water

Researchers used advanced infrared spectroscopy to measure microplastics in commercially sold bottled water in China. They found microplastic particles in the samples, with concentrations varying by brand and bottle type. The study adds to growing evidence that bottled water is a significant source of human microplastic exposure, and it estimated the amount people may be consuming daily through this route.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 132 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

Synthetic Polymer Contamination in Bottled Water

Researchers tested 259 bottles of water from 11 major brands purchased across nine countries and found microplastic contamination in 93% of samples. The most common particles were fragments, with polypropylene from bottle caps being the dominant polymer type identified. The study suggests that bottled water is a widespread source of human microplastic exposure, with contamination likely occurring during the packaging process.

2018 Frontiers in Chemistry 986 citations
Article Tier 2

Estimated exposure to microplastics through national and local brands of bottled water in Central India

Researchers tested bottled water from national and local brands in central India and found microplastics in every single sample, with local brands containing about three times more than national brands. The most common particles were polyethylene and PET fragments, likely coming from the plastic bottles and caps themselves. The study estimated that people drinking bottled water in India could be consuming tens of thousands of microplastic particles per year, highlighting bottled water as a significant source of human exposure.

2024 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 13 citations