Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Does mechanical stress cause microplastic release from plastic water bottles?

Researchers tested whether squeezing and repeated opening of PET water bottles releases microplastics into the contained water, finding that while the inner bottle wall was not a significant source under mechanical stress, repeated opening and closing substantially increased particle shedding from the bottleneck-cap interface.

2019 Water Research 357 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection and formation mechanisms of secondary nanoplastic released from drinking water bottles

Researchers measured nanoplastic release from drinking water bottle caps during simulated opening and closing cycles and detected particles ranging from hundreds of nanometers to about one micrometer. The study found that mechanical stress during normal bottle use degrades the polyethylene sealing material, releasing nanoplastics into the water and altering their properties in ways that complicate detection.

2022 Water Research 52 citations
Article Tier 2

A Preliminary Study of Microplastic Abrasion from the Screw Cap System of Reusable Plastic Bottles by Raman Microspectroscopy

A Raman microspectroscopy pilot study found that the screw cap system of reusable plastic water bottles releases microplastic particles during repeated opening and closing, identifying bottle caps as a previously overlooked source of microplastic contamination in drinking water.

2021 ACS ES&T Water 51 citations
Article Tier 2

The Effect of Different Storage Conditions for Refilled Plastic Drink Bottles on the Concentration of Microplastic Release in Water

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.

2022 Journal for Research in Applied Sciences and Biotechnology 7 citations
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 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

Everyday storage and handling of PET bottled water increase human exposure to nano- and microplastics: Influence of socio-economic factors

Researchers tested eight major U.S. bottled water brands and found that everyday conditions like heat exposure and shaking dramatically increased nano- and microplastic release from PET bottles, with nanoparticle concentrations rising over ninefold under combined heat and agitation. A survey of over 1,600 people in Nebraska revealed that higher awareness of microplastics and education levels correlated with behaviors that reduce exposure, such as avoiding bottled water storage in hot conditions.

2026 Water 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
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

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

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
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

Sources of Microplastic Contamination in PET Bottled Drinking Water: A Life Cycle Perspective

This study traces the sources of microplastic contamination in PET bottled drinking water across the product life cycle, identifying raw pellet spillage during shipping, manufacturing processes, bottle filling and capping operations, and bottle reuse as successive contamination pathways.

2025 Applied and Computational Engineering
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

Investigate the presence of plastic particles in bottled and reused water bottles for several times and medical feeder bottles

Researchers detected microplastics in bottled water, particularly in bottles that were reused multiple times or exposed to direct sunlight. PET bottles leached more microplastic particles under heat and UV stress, and particle counts increased with reuse cycles. This study highlights sunlight and mechanical wear as key factors increasing microplastic contamination in drinking water.

2022 Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic release from baby feeding bottles according to different application conditions

Researchers tested microplastic release from eleven baby feeding bottles of varying materials under multiple realistic use conditions including sterilization, shaking at different temperatures, long-term mechanical stress, and repeated cap handling, using Nile Red staining and fluorescence microscopy supplemented by µRaman spectroscopy. Results showed that bottle brand was a stronger predictor of MP release than bottle material, with temperature and mechanical stress also influencing particle release.

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

Detection of microplastics in commercial bottled mineral water

Researchers tested microplastic leaching from 18 commercially bottled mineral water samples under temperature and mechanical stress conditions, finding that high heat (60°C) and shaking produced more microplastic particles than room-temperature static conditions. Fragments, fibers, filaments, and films were all observed, and reusability testing showed repeated use under stress increased leaching.

2025 Padova Digital University Archive (Ateneo di Padova)
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

Release of microplastics from disposable cups in daily use

Researchers tested 90 batches of commercial disposable cups, including plastic and paper varieties, to measure how many microplastics they release into beverages during normal use. They found that all cup types released microplastics, with the amount increasing with higher liquid temperatures and longer contact times. The study highlights disposable cups as a direct and previously underappreciated source of microplastic exposure for consumers.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 102 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

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
Review Tier 2

Unveiling the hidden chronic health risks of nano- and microplastics in single-use plastic water bottles: A review

This review examines how single-use plastic water bottles release micro- and nanoplastics into drinking water, with bottled water consumers potentially ingesting up to 90,000 more plastic particles per year than tap water drinkers. The research links chronic exposure to these tiny plastic particles with respiratory diseases, reproductive issues, brain toxicity, and cancer risk, though more standardized testing methods are still needed.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification of microplastics in bottled water by Pyr-GC-Orbitrap-MS, human exposure, and in vitro hepatotoxicity assessment

Researchers analyzed 40 bottled water brands from five countries and found microplastics in 31 of them, primarily from bottle cap materials (HDPE plastic) rather than the PET bottles themselves, with the average adult exposure estimated at a very low 0.004 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day — and lab tests showed this level caused no detectable liver cell damage.

2025 Food Control 2 citations