The Chemical Composition of Packaged Drinking Water: Inorganic and Organic Contaminants, Disinfection Byproducts, and Microplastics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69855/science.v2i3.163Keywords:
Bottled Drinking Water, Chemical Contaminants, Antimony, Bisphenol A (BPA), Microplastics, Water QualityAbstract
This research explores the chemical constituents of bottled drinking water, emphasizing the presence of inorganic and organic pollutants, microplastics, and disinfection byproducts. Samples from five top-selling PET-bottled water brands were analyzed in triplicate under different storage temperatures (room temperature, 4°C, and 40°C). Various analytical techniques were employed: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) to quantify heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Sb), Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to detect bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for microplastic identification, and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to assess trihalomethanes (THMs). Antimony (Sb) was consistently detected, with concentrations increasing markedly at elevated temperatures. BPA appeared in 60% of samples and showed a temperature-dependent increase and inverse correlation with pH. All samples contained microplastics (mean 22 ± 8 particles/L), primarily PET, polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE). Although all contaminant levels were within regulatory thresholds, repeated intake under suboptimal storage conditions may raise cumulative exposure. The results emphasize the need for stricter regulatory measures, enhanced labeling for storage, and standardized guidelines concerning microplastics. This study enhances current understanding by demonstrating how storage conditions influence chemical leaching and potential health risks linked to long-term bottled water consumption.
References
American Public Health Association (APHA). (2017). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (23rd ed.). APHA, AWWA, WEF.
Breyer, B., Chang, H., & Parandvash, G. H. (2022). Household water use and conservation: Bach, C., Dauchy, X., Chagnon, M. C., & Etienne, S. (2013). Chemical compounds and toxicological assessments of drinking water stored in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. Food Chemistry, 139(1–4), 672–680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.01.046
Cox, K. D., Covernton, G. A., Davies, H. L., Dower, J. F., Juanes, F., & Dudas, S. E. (2019). Human consumption of microplastics. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(12), 7068–7074.
Gleick, P. H., & Cooley, H. S. (2009). Energy implications of bottled water. Environmental Research Letters, 4(1), 014009. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/4/1/014009
Koelmans, A. A., Besseling, E., & Foekema, E. M. (2014). Leaching of plastic additives to marine organisms. Environmental Pollution, 187, 49–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2013.12.013
Le, H., Carlson, E. M., Chua, J. P., & Belcher, S. M. (2008). Bisphenol A is released from polycarbonate drinking bottles and mimics the neurotoxic actions of estrogen in developing cerebellar neurons. Toxicology Letters, 176(2), 149–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2007.11.001
Mason, S. A., Welch, V. G., & Neratko, J. (2018). Synthetic polymer contamination in bottled water. Frontiers in Chemistry, 6, 407. https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2018.00407
Muncke, J. (2011). Endocrine disrupting chemicals and other substances of concern in food contact materials: An updated review of exposure, effect and risk assessment. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 127(1–2), 118–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2011.01.021
Richardson, S. D., Plewa, M. J., Wagner, E. D., Schoeny, R., & DeMarini, D. M. (2007). Occurrence, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity of regulated and emerging disinfection by-products in drinking water: A review and roadmap for research. Mutation Research, 636(1–3), 178–242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrrev.2007.09.001
Rodwan, J. G. (2021). Bottled water 2020: Continued upward movement. Beverage Marketing Corporation Report.
Tait, S., Tamis, J., van der Hoek, J. P., & van den Brand, T. P. H. (2020). Contaminants of emerging concern in drinking water: Monitoring and risk management. Water Research, 177, 115780. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.115780
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2020). Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories Tables. EPA 822-F-20-001. https://www.epa.gov
Wang, W., Ndungu, A. W., Li, Z., & Wang, J. (2017). Microplastics pollution in inland freshwaters of China: A case study in urban surface waters of Wuhan, China. Science of the Total Environment, 575, 1369–1374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.213
Westerhoff, P., Prapaipong, P., Shock, E., & Hillaireau, A. (2008). Antimony leaching from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic used for bottled drinking water. Water Research, 42(3), 551–556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2007.07.048
World Health Organization. (2017). Guidelines for drinking-water quality (4th ed.). WHO Press. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549950
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Suriani Nur
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
