Papers

20 results
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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

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

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

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

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

Polymers of micro- and nanoplastics in household tap water of Barcelona

Researchers quantified micro- and nanoplastic polymers in the 0.7-20 micrometer size range in household tap water from the public drinking water network of Barcelona, Spain, using a novel workflow designed to capture smaller particle sizes than most previous studies. The cross-sectional study found microplastics present in drinking water at concentrations relevant to human daily exposure assessment.

2022 ISEE Conference Abstracts 1 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
Article Tier 2

Detection, Quantification, and Characterisation of Microplastics in Maltese Bottled Water

Researchers detected microplastics in 84% of bottled water samples from five Maltese brands at an average concentration of 35,877 ± 23,542 particles per litre, with an average particle diameter of 2.37 μm and polymers including polyurethane, polyethylene, and polymethyl methacrylate identified by Raman spectroscopy.

2025 Microplastics
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 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

Synthetic Microplastics in UK tap and bottled water; Implications for human exposure

Researchers tested 177 tap water samples from 13 UK cities and 85 bottled water samples from 17 brands, finding microplastics in every single sample with no meaningful difference in average concentration between tap and bottled water. Infants and toddlers were estimated to ingest four times more microplastics per kilogram of body weight than adults, raising concerns given their still-developing immune and nervous systems.

2024 Emerging contaminants 25 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