Toward a unified framework for investigating micro(nano)plastics in packaged beverages intended for human consumption

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 268; no. Pt A; p. 115811
• Main Authors: Shruti, V.C., Pérez-Guevara, Fermín, Elizalde-Martínez, I., Kutralam-Muniasamy, Gurusamy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2021
• Subjects: Drinking Water; Environmental Monitoring; Food; FTIR; Humans; Microplastics; Nanoplastics; Plastics; Product Packaging; Raman; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Drinking water; Microplastics; Raman; FTIR; Nanoplastics; Food
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115811

The continuously increasing presence of micro- and nanoplastics contamination in numerous food products for human consumption is threatening and their potential health effects towards humans remain uncertain. At present, investigations on packaged beverages (e.g. bottled drinking water, beer, milk and refreshments) have received scientific attention and represent an important part of microplastic research as humans are orally exposed to these anthropogenic contaminants every day. Rapid and effective detection methods are important to quantify micro- and nanoplastic particles with a great accuracy as well as to identify their sources and characteristics. A number of methods are currently in use to assess microplastics in packaged beverages; however, the great variations in methods and data acquisition render difficulties when comparing the results and developing the protocols. Based on the challenges, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of emerging technological approaches, points out the current limitations from sample preparation to quantification and present recommendations. From the results of our analysis, we postulate an example framework that can be applied to different types of drinking products for investigating micro- and nanoplastics. Overall, this review will serve as a first step towards harmonization of micro- and nanoplastic monitoring efforts and a point of reference to help direct future researches focusing on drinking products intended for human consumption. [Display omitted] •Analytical methods for detecting microplastics in commercial drinking products are critically reviewed.•Methods vary greatly with respect to the type of drinking products and of geographical region.•Microplastics were most studied in bottled water, followed by beer, milk and refreshments.•Illustrated example workflow provides a first step towards harmonization of methods to investigate micro- and nanoplastics. This paper focuses on adopting a unified approach towards determination and characterization of micro (nano)plastics on packaged beverages by critically summarizing the available literature information of detection, analysis and methods regarding microplastic contamination including; drinking water, beer, milk and other refreshments, along with describing an example framework to provide a guideline for further research.