On the origin of microplastics in bottled water

Microplastics contamination of bottled water has been reported in several published investigations. Detection and identification is usually based on FTIR and Raman methodologies. Reported microplastics counts vary widely due to experimental detection limitations and laboratory contamination. There is no definite information on the impact of microplastics ingestion to human health, but awareness in the general public is increasing and consumers are concerned. It is argued that microplastics generation can be traced to injection molding of bottle preforms and caps. Injection mold cavity gate marks, flash and surface porosity are the main sources, due to break off and shedding during subsequent transportation, handling, blow molding of the preforms and during bottling and filling operations. Plastic dust in polymer processing factories is also a contributing factor. Intake by humans increases from opening and closing due to stress and abrasion. There is ongoing research on detection in various laboratories around the world, but hardly any attempts to relate microplastics generation to material properties or processing conditions.