About ConsumerLab.com


Microplastics in water, plastic bottle of water pouring water into glass

Answer:

Due to manufacturing processes, air and water pollution, and even just how products are used, tiny fragments and fibers of plastic, known as microplastics (and nanoplastics, the smallest microplastics), are being found in foods (such as Himalayan and other salts, fruits, vegetables, rice, and oils) and beverages (tap and bottled waters, beers, and even infant formula). There is emerging evidence that microplastics may have negative health effects, so it may be best to try to avoid exposure where possible. See the full answer to find out the concentrations of microplastic fragments in different salts, waters, fruits, vegetables, and types of beer, as well as the best way to store bottled water.

Also see ConsumerLab's Water Filter Pitchers Review to find out how well popular countertop filter pitchers from Aquasana, Brita, PUR, and ZeroWater worked to remove microplastics and other contaminants in tap water.

Join today to unlock all member benefits including full access to all CL Answers and over 1,400 reviews.

Join Now

Join now at www.consumerlab.com/join/

66 Comments

Aray
March 12, 2025

This is becoming a bigger and bigger news story, thankfully! And once again, ConsumerLab gives so much evidence based, reliable information! After reading about several recent studies that found microplastics are crossing the blood-brain barrier and accumulating in our brains as well as other organs, I began surveying all the things we use at home that might be contributing—of course I began with all the supplement bottles I use daily—some glass with metal lids (whew) but most plastic with either screw-on or snap-cap lids. It would be most helpful if CL could test to find which generate the most particles! I haven’t used plastic food containers or plastic wrap in years and know not to microwave plastic packaging, but I have been using dish brushes with plastic bristles; dishwasher pods wrapped in plastic; stainless steel thermoses and insulated drinking cups with plastic screw caps; “waxed” floss and of course, toothbrushes with plastic bristles! After reading a comment above I checked my pepper grinder and sure enough, plastic inside. I took the plastic inserts out of my spices and put the supplements with the plastic snap-caps in old glass vitamin bottles. Ordered a dish brush with plant-based fiber bristles (hard to find!) and am trying a toothbrush as well. Switched to either CVS waxed in CL recommendation but I see Desert Essence uses beeswax to coat. Ordered several silicone bowl covers (there were lots of companies making them) as well as reusable and washable silicone wrap pieces that work like plastic wrap! I checked Environmental Working Group’s well-respected lists of products they “verify” as not containing a host of toxins and ordered cleaning products including dishsoap without plastic. Threw away my “nylon” cooking spoons! Now I know that nylon, acrylic, and polyester are all names for different kinds of . . plastic. Please help us, CL.

Suzanne22624
April 25, 2025

You can get toothbrushes with either boar bristles or bristles made from castor oil (both from Amazon). I prefer the castor oil ones. Floss from Me Mother Earth. I like the black floss - comes in glass container with metal lid. Lots of great companies out there that sell eco-friendly and plastic free alternatives. Me Mother Earth, Grove Collaborative, etc.

Rebecca10747
November 17, 2023

Eek! Looking at several spices from Trader Joe’s with the plastic grinder tops. I wonder if I'm grinding micro plastic bits into my healthy cooking.

Dana20675
September 18, 2024

Definitely something to consider

Carolina21383
December 10, 2024

You find grinders with ceramic grinding wheel in Amazon and stores.

JOHN21390
December 10, 2024

That is a good point that I did not even think of, thank you. That’s why many heads are better than one lol.

Speedy
December 14, 2024

I just bought salt and pepper grinders from Chefs (made in USA the pepper grinder) …the pepper grinder for 1 set is stainless steel, but the salt grinder is ceramic. Other sets have both pepper and salt grinder that are stainless steal too … I actually got purchased Two Sets …with different looks ..one is a stainless steel set and one a wooden set. I have not received them yet as I just ordered a few days ago. I was thinking exactly this….to try to not get plastic grinders when I went looking for them. Just looked back and the company is “Chef Specialties”…I read somewhere that this company started making these in 1940 and is either the oldest one in the USA still made here, or one of a few of them. I looked at 4 companies …making them here in the USA….and I thought it looked like the best highest quality….but they are not cheap either. I can update this after I received them and have used them for a few weeks. It was my Christmas present to myself.

Shelly10740
August 08, 2023

If the microplastic particles found in olive oil do not seem to come from the plastic bottles, then I'd be curious to see what level of microplastic particles might be found in olive oil packaged in glass bottles. Sadly (frighteningly?), it's starting to look as if these particles are to be found everywhere now.

Rose21392
December 10, 2024

Buy in glass containers when available.

Paul10728
October 30, 2022

I can understand how sea salt (obtained from drying current sea water) could easily contain microplastics. However, since true Himalayan salt is mined from caves in the Himalayan mountain areas that have salt in them that was formed many thousands of years ago when those areas were in fact covered by sea water (but have not been connected with our modern sea water since the beginning of plastics being produced by modern manufacturing), I don't understand how or why those genuine Himalayan salts would be showing ANY CONTAMINATION WITH MICROPLASTICS, let alone high concentrations of those harmful microplastics. Please explain how this would be possible.

ConsumerLab.com
October 31, 2022

Hi Paul, we've added information about how Himalyan and other mined salts may become contaminated to the answer above.

Nina
October 28, 2022

What a shame. We never know what we're consuming.

Joann10723
October 28, 2022

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We, drink a lot of water and don't want it contaminated by something that can harm us..Let's all be Clean Water Advocates!

Diane10707
October 07, 2020

What about reusable water bottles with plastic drinking tops that you pop open to drink and then close? I have a glass water bottle with a plastic drinking top, HDPE Recycle code 2 and am wondering if it's safe to use.

ConsumerLab.com
October 07, 2020

We don't know, but the microplastic issue may less of a concern with a pop-off top than with a twist-top due to the shearing force of twisting.

George10699
October 24, 2019

What about plastic storage containers that we buy specifically for food storage? I'm thinking in particular about my round Glad® and Ziplock® containers--containers that I've used for years to store and re-heat casseroles and other food items. I would prefer glass, but it's too heavy, not to mention the problem of having to worry about breakage, either from mishandling, or from overfilling due to freezing.
I'm wondering if the repeated--dozens and dozens--of freezing/reheating cycles would not necessarily degrade the plastic surface to where it is releasing large amounts of microparticles. These are all polypropylene (recycle code 5.)
I notice a "short communication" just last month in the journal Science of The Total Environment, by Hwang, et al,, regarding polypropylene: "The accumulation of microplastic particles in humans has potential health risks such as cytotoxicity, hypersensitivity, unwanted immune response, and acute response like hemolysis. We investigated the cellular responses of secondary polypropylene microplastics (PP particles) of approximately ~20?µm and 25–200?µm in different condition and size to normal cells, immune cells, blood cells, and murine immune cells by cytokine analysis, ROS assay, polarization assay and proliferation assay. We found that PP particles showed low cytotoxicity effect in size and concentration manner, however, a high concentration, small sized, DMSO method of PP particles stimulated the immune system and enhanced potential hypersensitivity to PP particles."
Should I trash all of those things (saving a few, though, for storage of solids)?

ConsumerLab.com
October 24, 2019

We are not aware of research on this, but the issue with water bottle caps, which get repeatedly screwed on and off and cause the shearing of plastic, is probably different (and likely more problematic) than the effect of snapping a plastic top on and off.

bw
January 24, 2020

To add to my comments--- This is why we consumers especially need places like Consumer Lab and a few others who are knowledgeable and test what we use and eat. Thank you Consumer Lab !

Enid10700
November 16, 2022

Putting hot foods in and/or reheating food in plastic has been discouraged by experts for quite a few years because of the possible release of chemicals into the food under high temperatures

Eryn21377
December 10, 2024

George10699 Regarding the heaviness factor, we've been in the process of swapping out all our plastic storage containers for a combination of glass ones for reheating and lightweight stainless steel ones. We also got rid of our decorative, colorful plates and bowls and swapped with white Corelle glass. They also are light and take up little space.

Speedy
December 14, 2024

I no longer use a microwave…partly because of this…. I am trying to focus on Whole Foods instead of the more processed foods….and cooking meals at home instead of eating out. I still eat out some…just not as much as I used too.

Elaine21965
February 12, 2025

Years ago I started collecting glass containers at Tag Sales because they can go to the table for a casual dinner. And some are most attractive. Now that I am much older it is so much easier to see what they contain in frig. Speaking of the frig. I place many foods in a suitable bowl covering with a glass plate is perfection thereby reducing plastic wrap. As you can see I was way ahead of the times.

Also, I use tap water. Only using bottle water for convenience. I fill small bottles with water from the fridge as they are much easier
to handle. And by chance my insulated container is metal purchased at a tag sale for $1 way before they were were
popular. Found a second for a little more. Use one for the car and the other in my bedroom. Very convenient. I have
always liked sharing food using canning jars or just plain jars--more pleasant. I don't like squeeze bottles so I transfer my condiments to glass jars. Mine have checkerboard lids. Needless to say I have quite a collection of bottles in my basement!

Hope gives you some Ideas on style, thrift and convenience.

Deborah10697
October 17, 2019

Does this micro-plastics problem of re-use apply to hard plastic bottles, like Nalgene?

ConsumerLab.com
October 21, 2019

Hi Deborah - We are not aware of any studies investigating microplastic contamination from Nalgene.

David10696
October 16, 2019

I'm concerned about the reusable plastic containers in Soda Stream and NutriBullet type products. They are intended to be used multiple times which I've always considered to be more environmentally friendly than single use plastic but is there a difference in the amount of particles??

Eryn21095
November 15, 2024

Sodastream now makes a model with glass bottles. It's called the Aqua Fizz.

Eryn21378
December 10, 2024

You don't have to store your soda in the Sodastream bottle. You can get stainless steel flip-top growler bottles on Amazon, make it, and store in those.

John10694
October 13, 2019

This is unfortunate, but I'm glad that I am now aware of micro-plastics in drinking water.
I filter my own water at home and bring it to the gym, and hiking. I have been re-using plastic bottles, but it appears that is no longer safe. Stainless steel seems a bit heavy especially since I typically drink 1/2 gallon at the gym. How are other people transporting water on hikes and other physical activities?

Richard10695
October 15, 2019

The Steel and aluminum water bottles I've seen are lined with a plastic coating. The best water bottle I've found are plastic with a glass like lining; a thin, flexible coating of silicon dioxide is electrostaticly deposited on the inside of the plastic bottle. The only brand I know is the Specialized Purist line of water bottle. And even then the lids and mouthpiece are ordinary plastic.

Eric10687
October 02, 2019

As far as microplastics in beer, I think more people should be aware that when you buy beer in an aluminum can, you are buying beer in plastic. Aluminum cans have a plastic coating inside to protect the contents from reacting with the metal. That's not the only way for microplastics to get into your beer, but buying in glass vs a plastic-lined can is the one source of contamination you have any control over

Don10691
October 13, 2019

The CL article doesn't mention the other payload you get from having ingestible in plastic. In response to the BPA controversy a lot of products and container liners were changed to a "BPA-Free" plastic. CertiChem Labs tested these new plastic formulations and found them to also contain chemicals which caused the same issues behind the BPA controversy - some were even worse than BPA. A plastics company sued and silenced CertiChem, but their work is available. Bottom line: not only do you get micro plastics but also hormone disruption.....

ConsumerLab.com
October 15, 2019

Hi Don - Thanks for writing about this. We checked out the related article (https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1003220), which, as you note, indicates the presence of hormone disruptors in samples of various plastic containers (after bits of the plastic were cut off and treated with alcohol or salt water to help extract the compounds), although the study does not evaluate the impact on people. Nevertheless, it does make the point that a variety of compounds in plastics should be considered by consumers using plastic containers.

Gloria10688
October 14, 2019

What about Coca-Cola in cans?

ConsumerLab.com
October 14, 2019

Hi Gloria - We aren't aware of any studies measuring microplastics in soda or soda cans/bottles.

Richard10690
October 15, 2019

The aluminum bottles are plastic lined. May produce micro-plastics. Await studies.

Joann10677
June 11, 2019

How do we get clean, good for you, water? Is there an in home system?

jerry10681
August 13, 2023

I use the Waterwise 3200 Distiller. I believe it distills 1gallon into the pitcher. The pitcher is a hard plastic like the Brita container so I don’t know about it. However the leftover in the bottom of the distiller after it’s finished is a dark brown liquid, maybe 4 Tablespoons, which is dumped out. I’m very pleased with this distiller. I have no financial interest in the product or in a competing product.

ConsumerLab.com
August 14, 2023

Be aware that distillation -- which uses energy to boil water and then collect the, purer, condensed steam -- will remove all heavy metals as well as PFAS from water, but also removes all minerals (including fluoride) and it won't remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as gasoline additives.

Molly10683
November 17, 2023

Thanks for that information. I, too, have a Waterwise distiller, and have used them for years. I'd assumed it removes PFAS, but didn't know for sure. I have no financial interest in Waterwise.

Susan10680
November 19, 2023

Waterwise distillers also have pre and/or post carbon fillers, depending upon the model.

ConsumerLab.com
December 06, 2023

Waterwise distillers with carbon filters would likely remove some VOCs but would not replace the minerals removed from the water by distillation.

Margene10684
January 09, 2024

I own a Waterwise distiller with carbon filter and I simply add a product called liquid trace minerals to the distilled water. I have no financial interest in Waterwise.

Gregory10672
June 10, 2019

Do water filters like Brita, Pur or the more expensive in-line ones do a good job of filtering out microplastics? I know the pitcher variety don't do much because there's not enough force being provided by gravity to get through a good filter, but the on-tap and in-line filters are much better if you have reasonable water pressure.

ConsumerLab.com
June 12, 2019

Hi Joann and Gregory -- We've now answered your questions here https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/water-filters-for-microplastics/water-filters/.

Joann10674
June 12, 2019

Thank you for your answer. Keep us apprised on how to get clean water.

ConsumerLab.com
June 12, 2019

You're welcome Joann!

Joann10658
June 10, 2019

What is the best way to get drinking water? There is arsenic in well water, micro plastics in bottled water, and you certainly would not want to drink the water in So. Cal from the tap. I wonder about the filters in our Reverse Osmosis.. Recommend any filtration systems?

MJ De Vries
September 01, 2019

I have a reverse osmosis system. i have it maintained every year. have had it for over 20 years. This confirms what I have always known. i even used the meter on this water that comes out of this thing in my sink. when its time for maintenance i will get "particles of 1 to 6" readout. Get a system, it will cost you about 6000 for a whole house water conditioner and a reverse osmosis system that is put under your kitchen sink, but it is worth it. For what price is your health worth?

Carol10663
October 13, 2019

I have a reverse osmosis under sink filter and maintain it every year. Water tastes as good as bottled water. Have had it for years. Love it.

JN10661
October 13, 2019

Yes, an RO system beats city water but there are some downsides.
Depending on the quality of incoming water, the amount of reject, that is, the portion of water that contains constituents andt does not pass through the membrane, can easily be above 30%. If you live in TX like me, water is very expensive.
The quality of incoming water also will determine how quickly the membrane becomes fouled and will require a chemical cleaning.
Just my two cents.

Janet10662
October 14, 2019

I have been using a reverse osmosis system since the early 1980s. I get one every time we move. May not be perfect but the water tastes sweet (unlike the strong taste of chlorine where we currently live). I think it’s better than plastic bottles.

Jeffrey
June 10, 2019

Does using a Pur filter help get rid of these plastics? Thank you

Helen10654
June 10, 2019

It would be useful to know if these microplastics can be filtered out using regular water filers like Brita

ConsumerLab.com
June 12, 2019

Hi Jeffrey and Helen - Please see our CL Answer about water filters and microplastics here: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/water-filters-for-microplastics/water-filters/.

Ann10653
June 09, 2019

Is there less plastic in imported beers , generally? Disappointing that Gerolsteiner carbonated water from Germany was found to have a lot; the purity law invoked by German brewers to reassure consumers, is often found on the label of bottled beer.

Dawn10647
June 09, 2019

Maldonado Sea Salt?

ConsumerLab.com
June 10, 2019

Hi Dawn - We are not aware of any studies that have analyzed this particular brand of salt for contamination with microplastics.

John10646
June 09, 2019

I wonder whether any of the consumer water filter pitchers -- like Pur or Britta -- remove any or even some of these microplastics.

Vinnie10645
June 09, 2019

Will filtering bottle water using something like a charcoal PUR filter remove the microplastics ?

Barbie
June 09, 2019

I use Redmond salt. Any comments about this

ConsumerLab.com
June 10, 2019

Hi Barbara - Redmond sea salt is mined in Utah, from an ancient sea bed. The study noted above tested salt from Utah and found it to contain somewhat fewer particles than salts from active seas, although more than found in Hawaiian sea salt and North Sea salt.

Megan10638
June 09, 2019

Does anyone know if water filters help much or at all with microplastics in tap water?

Steven10636
November 05, 2018

I wonder about Celtic Salt, my favorite

Robert10631
November 05, 2018

Just last week I speculated that Himalayan Pink salt would be free from microplastics since it is mined from deposits. The contamination must occur during processing. Perhaps at this point the list of products without plastic is growing very short.

Shawn10632
November 05, 2018

Same here. And equally disappointed.

Jeffrey
November 07, 2018

This is all too much bad news. Ought to have a special bad new warning sector on this Great site !
Jeff

Join the conversation

(0/2500)