Papers

20 results
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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
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

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
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
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and Potential Health Risks Due to Trihalomethanes and Microplastics in Bottled Water

Researchers found microplastics and trihalomethanes in all tested Indian bottled water brands, with microplastic counts of 20-127 particles per liter and estimated yearly microplastic intake of 153 grams per person through bottled water consumption.

2022 Environmental Engineering Science 36 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

Characteristics of nano-plastics in bottled drinking water.

Researchers detected nanoplastics in commercially bottled drinking water using novel nanoparticle analysis techniques, finding particles in the nanometer size range in multiple brands. These findings are concerning because nanoplastics are thought to be more biologically active than larger microplastics and can more easily cross biological barriers in the body.

2022 Journal of hazardous materials
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

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

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
Systematic Review Tier 1

Factors influencing microplastic contamination in bottled drinking water in Indonesia: a systematic review

This systematic review found that bottled drinking water in Indonesia contains microplastics, with contamination levels influenced by packaging type, bottle material, and storage conditions. The findings raise health concerns because microplastics in drinking water can carry harmful chemicals and may affect the digestive system when consumed regularly.

2023 Berita Kedokteran Masyarakat
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Arctic invertebrates: status on occurrence and recommendations for future monitoring

Researchers used fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to characterize microplastics in bottled water from 11 brands sold in China. Concentrations ranged widely across brands, with polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene as the most detected polymers.

2022 Arctic Science 18 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

Detection of Microplastics in Bottled Water

Researchers detected microplastics in bottled water samples from Sarawak, Malaysia, contributing to the limited data on bottled water contamination in Southeast Asia and highlighting potential human exposure through a widely consumed beverage.

2021 Materials science forum 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Unbottling the risk: Microplastic release and health hazards from bottled drinks

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in 14 commercial beverages—including water, milk, cola, juice, and vinegar—under varied temperature and storage conditions, and assessed toxicological risks. Microplastic concentrations varied significantly by beverage type and storage conditions, with higher temperatures and longer storage times increasing particle release from packaging materials.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment
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

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

From the Well to the Bottle: Identifying Sources of Microplastics in Mineral Water

Researchers traced the entry points for microplastics in bottled mineral water from groundwater source through bottle-cleaning, filling, and capping processes and found that the bottling process itself — not the source water — is the primary origin of microplastics in bottled mineral water.

2021 Water 126 citations