Microplastic contamination in some beverages marketed in türkiye: Characteristics, dietary exposure and risk assessment

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology 2024-07, Vol.189, p.114730-114730, Article 114730
• Main Authors: Basaran, Burhan, Aytan, Ülgen, Şentürk, Yasemen, Özçifçi, Zehra, Akçay, Hakkı Türker
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Beverages; Beverages - analysis; Dietary Exposure; Female; Food Contamination - analysis; Humans; Male; Microplastic; Microplastic pollution load index; Microplastics - analysis; Polymer risk index; Risk Assessment; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114730

In this study, microplastic contamination in water, natural mineral water and mineral water, sparkling soft drinks, cold tea and some traditional beverages marketed in Türkiye were assessed. Microplastics physically and chemically characterized by microscope and ATR/FT–IR, respectively. Microplastics were detected in 9 out of 47 beverage samples. A total of 250 microplastics with 5 different polymers, 2 different shapes, and 7 different colours were detected in 47 beverage samples. The average microplastic concentration was 2.24 ± 9.86 particles/L for all beverages analysed. The highest average microplastic concentration was found in mineral waters in glass bottles (average 11.3 particles/L). No microplastics were found in cold tea and other drinks. The total annual microplastic exposure from beverage consumption in male and female individuals aged >15 years was 2029 and 1786 particles/mL/year, respectively. The microplastic load index category of all beverage samples was determined as “moderate”. The average pRi level of all beverages was 117 ± 260 and the risk level was determined as “low”. The study provides evidence that microplastics are common in beverages and that microplastics are directly ingested by humans. [Display omitted] •Microplastics were found 15 % of 47 beverage samples were analysed.•Fragments were the most common microplastics in beverages.•Ethylene vinyl acetate was the main polymers of microplastics found.•Microplastic dietary exposure varied from 1505 to 2118 particles/mL/year.•The polymer risk index and microplastic pollution load index are in low and moderate level, respectively.