WHY DOES BOTTLED WATER CONTAIN MICROPLASTICS?

Bottled water contains microplastics mainly due to contamination that occurs during the bottling process, packaging, and transportation. Here are the key reasons:

1. Plastic Bottle Shedding

• Bottled water is usually packaged in PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles or HDPE (high-density polyethylene) caps.
• Over time, small plastic fragments shed from the bottle or cap, especially when exposed to heat or repeated opening/closing.

2. Manufacturing & Bottling Process

• Microplastics can be introduced during filtering, processing, and bottling.
• Industrial machinery, air, or water filtration systems might contain plastic components that contribute to contamination.

3. Water Source Contamination

• Some bottled water comes from sources (like groundwater or tap water) that may already contain microplastics due to pollution.
• Microplastics from air, soil, or nearby human activities can enter natural water sources.

4. Environmental Factors (Storage & Transport)

• Exposure to heat and sunlight during transport or storage can break down plastic bottles, leading to microplastic release.
• Physical stress (like squeezing a bottle) can also release tiny plastic particles into the water.

5. Airborne Microplastic Contamination

• Plastic particles in the air (from industrial pollution, synthetic fibers, or packaging) can settle into bottled water during the production process.

Studies & Findings

Research has found that bottled water can contain thousands of microplastic particles per liter, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and nylon being the most common types. In fact, bottled water often contains more microplastics than tap water.

How to Reduce Exposure?

• Choose glass-bottled water instead of plastic.
• Store bottled water in cool, dark places to reduce plastic degradation.
• Use reusable stainless steel or glass bottles with filtered water instead of buying bottled water frequently.