Bottled water drinkers ingest 90,000 more microplastics than tap users: study

Microplastics pose a known threat to overall health – and eating and drinking from plastic containers, like water bottles, could be a serious problem, researchers suggest.

A new study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials analyzed 141 existing scientific articles on microplastics and nanoplastics from single-use plastic water bottles to assess how much plastic people may be ingesting.

Researchers at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, found that the average person consumes between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles per year, according to a press release from the university.

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According to the study, people who drink bottled water regularly ingest up to 90,000 more particles each year than those who drink primarily tap water.

Researchers noted that nanoplastics are of particular concern because they are invisible to the naked eye and measure less than 1 micron. They can also enter human cells, cross biological barriers and potentially reach organs and tissues, they warned.

“People need to understand that the problem is not acute toxicity, but chronic toxicity,” said the study’s lead researcher. (iStock)

Both nanoplastics and microplastics have been linked to serious and long-term health complications, including respiratory and reproductive problems, brain and nerve toxicity, and cancer risks.

These particles entering the bloodstream and vital organs can also cause chronic inflammation, oxidative stress on cells and hormonal disruptions, according to the release.

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These tiny pieces of plastic appear as bottles are manufactured, stored, transported and broken down, and release particles when handled and exposed to sunlight or temperature changes, experts warn.

“The long-term effects remain poorly understood due to the lack of widespread testing and standardized methods of measurement and detection,” the statement said.

Exposure to sunlight and changes in temperature can cause plastic particles to disperse, experts warn. (iStock)

Sarah Sajedi, lead author of the study, an environmental management expert and Ph.D. candidate at Concordia University, reacted to these findings with “deep concern and urgency,” noting that an additional 90,000 annual particles is “staggering.”

“What is most surprising is how little research this issue remains, despite its widespread impact,” he told Fox News Digital. “My review reveals not only chronic health risks, including inflammation, hormonal disruption, neurotoxicity and cancer, but also the lack of standardized testing methods, hindering accurate risk assessment and regulatory action.”

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Sajedi recommends opting for reusable stainless steel or glass water bottles, drinking filtered tap water when possible, storing plastic bottles away from heat or sunlight, and avoiding squeezing or repeatedly opening and closing these bottles.

“Drinking water from plastic bottles is fine in an emergency, but it is not something that should be used in daily life,” she added in a press release. “People need to understand that the problem is not acute toxicity, but chronic toxicity.”

People who drink bottled water regularly ingest up to 90,000 more particles each year than those who drink primarily tap water. (iStock)

The analysis had some limitations, the researchers noted. The many studies used various testing methods, meaning the results are not always comparable. Some also lacked data on the size and composition of these particles.

Researchers have called for more standardized testing and stricter policies to control plastic contamination in bottled water.

The review was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and Concordia University.

Industry representatives speak out

In January 2025, the International Bottled Water Association released a statement on the risk associated with microplastics and nanoplastics, noting that bottled water is one of thousands of food and beverage products packaged in plastic containers.

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“The bottled water industry is committed to providing consumers with the safest and highest quality healthy hydration products,” said the statement posted on the IBWA website. “Micro and nanoplastics are found everywhere in the environment: in the air, soil and water.”

“Because there are no certified testing methods or scientific consensus on the potential health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics, the industry supports conducting additional research on this important issue.”

The FDA issued a statement on the subject in 2024, stating that “current scientific evidence does not demonstrate that the levels of microplastics or nanoplastics detected in foods pose a risk to human health.” (iStock)

In 2024, the FDA issued a statement on the subject, stating that “current scientific evidence does not demonstrate that the levels of microplastics or nanoplastics detected in foods pose a risk to human health.”

The agency said it would continue to monitor research on microplastics and nanoplastics in food and was “taking steps to advance the science and ensure the safety of our food.”

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In a 2022 report from the World Health Organization, the agency stated that “no adverse health effects could be derived from dietary exposure to micro- and nanoplastic particles smaller than 10 microns due to minimal scientific research.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Concordia University researchers and several bottled water companies for comment.