As is now known, microplastics are practically everywhere, including what we drink: from the water in our taps to the most popular drinks, contamination is increasingly widespread and worrying.
A study conducted in the United Kingdom, published in Science of the Total Environmentanalyzed 155 samples of hot and cold drinks, revealing that they all contain microplastics. The researchers detected fragments of polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE), materials commonly used in food packaging and disposable containers.
The most contaminated drinks
According to the study, hot drinks show higher levels of microplastics than cold ones, probably because the heat promotes the release of particles from the containers. In particular:
Among cold drinks, levels of microplastics vary as follows:
It is important to point out that the type of packaging significantly influences contamination, plastic containers release more microplastics than glass or metal cans.
What microplastics have been found in drinks
The study found microplastics ranging in size from 10 to 157 micrometers, with a predominance of fibers. The most common polymers are:
Smaller particles can more easily penetrate biological tissues, potentially accumulating in organs and contributing to inflammation and oxidative stress.
Daily exposure
By combining microplastic concentrations with the average daily beverage intake of adults in the UK, the study estimates similar exposure between men and women:
These values exceed the quantities estimated considering only drinking water, which shows that tea, coffee and juices play an important role in the daily intake of microplastics (at least in the UK).
What can we do
Although it is difficult to completely eliminate microplastics present in drinks, some measures can reduce their ingestion:
