Impact of Storage Duration and Conditions on the Quantity and Characteristics of Microplastics (1-5,000 µm) in PET Bottled Drinking Water
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Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the increase in microplastics (1 to 5,000 µm) in PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottled drinking water under varying storage durations and preservation conditions. The concentration of microplastics in unexpired bottled water was 944±307 MPs/L, which increased significantly to 5,239±84 MPs/L in water stored for four years beyond its expiration date, and peaked at 6,065±60 MPs/L in bottles that had expired for 11 years. These results demonstrate a clear correlation between storage duration and microplastic accumulation. Notably, over 99% of the detected microplastics were smaller than 20 µm. SEM-EDX analysis revealed that most microplastics originated from PET bottles (60%) and HDPE caps (36%). Environmental storage conditions also played a crucial role in microplastic release: bottles stored outdoors exhibited accelerated plastic degradation, resulting in a 205% higher microplastic concentration compared to those stored in dark, room-temperature environments. These findings underscore the importance of enforcing expiration dates for PET bottled water and highlight the need for proper storage practices to minimize health risks associated with microplastic-contaminated water. Moreover, the study provides crucial insights for developing standards to ensure safe and sustainable plastic packaging production and effective waste management in the future.
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