Papers

61,005 results
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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

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

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

A Comparative Study About the Amount of Microplastic in Polyethylene Terephtalate (pet) Drinking Water That Was Exposed and Not Exposed by Sun at Environmental Health Laboratory of Poltekkes Kemenkes Semarang at the Year 2020

Researchers compared the amount of microplastics released from different brands and conditions of PET water bottles, finding that UV exposure and bottle age affect how many particles leach into the water. This study highlights bottled water as a direct route of microplastic ingestion for consumers.

2020 Buletin Keslingmas 2 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

Comparative Assessment of Micro- and Nanoplastic Release from Polypropylene and Polycarbonate Bottles Under Simulated Use Conditions

This study compared polypropylene and polycarbonate bottles for micro- and nanoplastic particle release under simulated consumer use including thermal and mechanical stress, using dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. Both materials released measurable quantities of nano- and microplastics under routine use conditions, with thermal stress substantially increasing particle release.

2025 Journal of Chemistry and Technologies
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

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 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

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

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

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

Generation of microplastics from the opening and closing of disposable plastic water bottles

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.

2021 Journal of Water and Health 61 citations
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

Exposure to microplastics (<10 μm) associated to plastic bottles mineral water consumption: The first quantitative study

Researchers conducted the first quantitative study of microplastic contamination in bottled mineral water and found that plastic bottles release significant numbers of particles smaller than 10 micrometers into the water. The release was linked to the bottle material and storage conditions. The findings suggest that drinking bottled water is a meaningful source of human microplastic exposure.

2019 Water Research 387 citations
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Microplastic prevalence and human exposure in the bottled drinking water in the west Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, India

A study of nine bottled water brands in India found an average of about 2.9 microplastic particles per liter, mostly fibers made of polypropylene and PET plastic. Children face higher daily exposure relative to their body weight than adults, and lifetime intake estimates suggest significant cumulative exposure through bottled water alone -- underscoring the importance of understanding microplastics in drinking water sources.

2024 Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 36 citations