Prevalence and characteristics of microplastic contamination in soft drinks and potential consumer exposure
1
Issued Date
2025-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
03014797
eISSN
10958630
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85212813248
Journal Title
Journal of Environmental Management
Volume
373
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Environmental Management Vol.373 (2025)
Suggested Citation
Ta A.T., Babel S., Wang L.P. Prevalence and characteristics of microplastic contamination in soft drinks and potential consumer exposure. Journal of Environmental Management Vol.373 (2025). doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123810 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/103031
Title
Prevalence and characteristics of microplastic contamination in soft drinks and potential consumer exposure
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) contamination in human food is a growing concern due to potential health risks. Recent studies have indicated that MPs have been found in various human tissues and organs, including the placenta, lungs, liver, and blood. This highlights the importance of investigating the presence and concentration of MPs in food products, as it directly relates to human health and safety. In this study, MP contamination was detected and characterized in commercially available soft drinks in Thailand. Nine popular soft drink brands in Thailand, packaged in different materials, including plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and glass bottles, were investigated. The results revealed that regardless of packaging type, all the soft drink brands tested contained MPs, with concentrations ranging from 2 ± 3 to 39 ± 12 items per liter. MPs in the 50–100 μm size range, primarily with a fragment-like morphology, were most commonly found. Given that the average person in Thailand consumes approximately 41.13 L of soft drinks annually, it is estimated that an individual could ingest between 81 and 1609 MPs yearly. These findings raise significant concerns about the potential health impacts of MP ingestion through soft drinks and underscore the need for further research and regulation.