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Testing microplastics in tap water vs bottled water

胡雪盐8 (2025-06-13 22:09:21) 评论 (0)

Testing microplastics in tap water vs bottled water can be done through several scientific methods. Heres a breakdown of how its tested, what differences typically emerge, and how you might approach such a test practically (if youre considering doing it or commissioning one).



???? How Microplastics Are Tested in Water

  1. Sample Collection

    • Collect at least 1 liter of each sample (tap and bottled).

    • Use glass or stainless steel containers to avoid plastic contamination.

  2. Filtration

    • Water is filtered through very fine filter paper (usually 0.45 m or smaller).

    • This captures particles, including microplastics.

  3. Digestion (Optional)

    • Organic material in the sample is chemically digested (e.g., with hydrogen peroxide) to isolate plastic particles.

  4. Microscopy + Spectroscopy

    • Use microscopes (light or fluorescence) to visually identify particles.

    • Use FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) or Raman spectroscopy to confirm if particles are plastic and identify the type (e.g., PET, PE, PP).

???? Typical Findings

Water Type Avg. Microplastic Particles per Liter (approx.) Common Polymers Found
Tap Water 020 particles/L (depending on country/region) PE, PP, nylon
Bottled Water 50300+ particles/L (much higher on average) PET, PP (from bottle/cap)
A 2018 study by Orb Media tested 259 bottles and found 93% contained microplastics.

???? Want to Test It Yourself?

You can:

  • Send samples to a lab that does environmental or food-grade microplastic testing. Labs charge from $300$1,000 per sample.

  • DIY with microscopes and filter paper possible but less accurate and only visual (no polymer ID).

Example certified labs:

  • Eurofins (Global)

  • ALS Environmental

  • SGS

  • Microplastic Lab (Europe-based specialized service)

???? Summary

  • Bottled water typically contains more microplastics than tap water, largely from packaging.

  • Testing requires careful filtration, identification, and polymer analysis.

  • For accurate results, use lab-based FTIR/Raman testing.