Skip to main content
x

Scientists Find Microplastics in 93 Percent of Tested Bottled Water

By Andy Zunz | Published On March 16, 2018
Share This Article :

Scientists Find Microplastics in 93 Percent of Tested Bottled Water

microplastic in bottled water

A woman buys bottled water

iStockphoto

Researchers found evidence of microplastics in 93 percent of tested bottles of water.

The startling new report shows that bottled water may have more plastic pieces than tap water, prompting a review from the United Nations’ World Health Organization.

The new study — which was conducted by scientists based at State University of New York at Fredonia — tested 259 bottles of water from 19 locations in nine different countries. The result: an average of 325 microplastic particles for every liter of water.

Plastic particles in the 0.10 millimeter size range are considered micro plastics.


SEE MORE: Diver Films Wave of Trash at Site in Bali


The bottles used for the test were purchased in Brazil, China, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, India, Indonesia, Thailand and the United States. They included the following brands: Aqua (Danone), Aquafina (Pepsi Co.), Bisleri (Bisleri International), Dasani (Coca-Cola), Epura (Pepsi Co.), Evian (Danone), Gerolsteiner (Gerolsteiner Brunnen), Minalba (Grupo Edson Queiroz), Nestle Pure Life (Nestle), San Pellegrino (Nestle) and Wahaha (Hangzhou Wahaha Group).

Scientists used nile red dye — which typically sticks to plastics rather than natural materials — to identify plastic particles in the samples. Nestle claims that this methodology can generate false-positive results.

WHO says that there is no evidence of microplastics having a negative effect on human health, but the organization is launching a review of this emerging area of concern, according to The Guardian.