PREVALENCE AND QUANTIFICATION OF MICROPLASTICS IN BOTTLED WATER

Zahid H Shar; Anoosha Maryam; Nusrat N Memon; Muqadus Abbasi; Pawan Kumar; Pirah Ismail; Pirah Zahir

doi:10.71146/kjmr925

Authors

Zahid H Shar Dr. M. A. Kazi Institute of Chemistry University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan. Author
Anoosha Maryam Dr. M. A. Kazi Institute of Chemistry University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan. Author
Nusrat N Memon Dr. M. A. Kazi Institute of Chemistry University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan. Author
Muqadus Abbasi Dr. M. A. Kazi Institute of Chemistry University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan. Author
Pawan Kumar Dr. M. A. Kazi Institute of Chemistry University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan. Author
Pirah Ismail Dr. M. A. Kazi Institute of Chemistry University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan. Author
Pirah Zahir Dr. M. A. Kazi Institute of Chemistry University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71146/kjmr925

Keywords:

Microplastics, Bottled water, ATR-FTIR, ImageJ, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, water contamination

Abstract

Plastics are commonplace contaminants that we utilize on a daily basis. Microplastics (small particles less than five millimeters in size) are being found in water systems and could pose a threat to human health via routes such as bottled water. This study aims to identify and quantify microplastics in drinking water that is sold in bottles. An Olympus BX51 microscope was used to check the microplastic after separation on filter and staining with methylene blue and total number counted by using ImageJ software. Microplastic separated and stained were found in the range between 22-246/L. the particles stained on filter paper were further analyzed by using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to check the nature of particles and compared it against the standard spectra of most commonly found popular plastics like polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). polyethylene (PE) was found to be mostly occurring micro contaminates in water system. The findings imply that bottled water contains microplastics, which may pose risks to human health. This necessitates further investigation into the sources and effects of microplastic contamination.

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