Synopsis

Samia Hassan
M.phil Environmental Science
AIOU Islamabad
Supervisor : Dr. Sofia
Co supervisor : Dr. Ilmas
Topic of the research : The effects of storage duration and sunlight exposure on
microplastics leaching in bottled drinking water

Introduction
Plastic particles <5mm in length are known as microplastics (Ibeto et al., 2023).
Depending on where they come from, MPs are classified as primary or secondary
microplastics. The former are tiny parts intended for both personal and commercial use, and
they include a variety of plastic components (such as fiber, pellet, etc.) that are utilized in
the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agricultural industries. The latter is the result of bigger
plastic components disintegrating into smaller ones (fragments) (Altunk, 2023) .
Microplastics are dispersed throughout the water column and have been discovered
everywhere in the world. These are little fragments of plastic derived from bigger polymers
that have undergone degradation over time (Muhammad Mukheed*, 2021)
Through photo-oxidative processes, plastics are broken down into microplastics (MPs) and
nanoplastics (NPs). At this stage of plastic degradation, the differences in size allow
polymers to readily pass through the gastrointestinal tract and find their way to other
sections of living creatures. Additional research is required to examine the existence and
impacts of plastic in human life. These days, plastic takes the place of other materials,
including glass in soft drinks, mineral water bottles, and food packaging
(Makhdoumi et al., 2021)

Mineral water that has been bottled in plastic bottles has lately been found to contain
microplastics particles. The topic of mineral water has gained attention from the media and
general public due to its wide spread use (Welle & Franz, 2018).
Plastic bottles and caps have been demonstrated to be a significant source of microplastics
(MP) in bottled water. Additionally, it has been discovered that the friction between a
plastic bottle's cap and bottleneck may increase the number of microplastics (MPs) in a
plastic water bottle (Nizamali et al., 2023).
Clean water is necessary for life, and as reports of waterborne disease outbreaks have
increased, public worries regarding the safety and cleanliness of drinking water have grown.
The widespread belief that tap water tastes bad, that it contains chemicals and sediments,
that it contains chlorine, that it has negative health impacts, and other aesthetic concerns
have persuaded consumers to buy bottled water (Taheri et al., 2023).

Literature review
In one study, two preparation techniques are devised to examine the presence of
microplastics in bottled drinking water. Drying techniques and direct filtration are used to
separate microplastic from drinking water. Following the drying process, the material is
separated and subjected to analysis utilizing thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential
scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Considering
using a digital microscope, the separated material from the filtration process is
examined. and examined in further detail with an FTIR microscope. Utilizing an FTIR
microscope, the kind of plastic substance was determined. With this device, one may
determine a particle's tiny size beginning at 20 microns. Drinking water is contaminated with
microplastics, high density polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate, which range in
size from 20 to 200 µm. The examination of the filtrates demonstrates that microplastic was
exclusively present in drinking water that had been tainted with the material
(Zainuddin & Syuhada, 2020).

In Mosul Iraq , the findings of the study demonstrated the existence of microplastics in sun-
exposed bottled water. In order to determine mp particles, the impact of direct sunshine on
standard plastic bottle samples was examined and then used again. Water-packed
polyethylene terephthalate (bottled water) standard plastic bottle samples were gathered
and compared to wastewater-packed plastic bottle samples. Using a microscope, the
number of particles was determined after the sample was filtered to estimate the amount of
microplastics present. 180.7 microplastics/L were the average number of microplastics
found in standard samples of bottled bottles exposed to sunshine.
Although the average number of particles for water-packed plastic bottles that were
repeatedly used and exposed to direct sunlight was 326.2 microplastics/liter, the results
demonstrated that there were noticeable variations in the amount of plastic particles. The
breakdown of plastic particles in the nutritive liquid was shown by the results of confirming
their presence. This could be caused by a number of factors, including how these canals are
made, packaged, and made from bottles
(Mustafa Dheyaa Mohamed Hadeed & Kossay Kamalaldeen Al-Ahmady, 20
.
In one study, the quantities of MP in 23 well-known Iranian brands of bottled water were
measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) filtering and counting. Investigations were
also conducted into the effects of freezing, climatic conditions, and mechanical stress on MP
release. In water samples, the average concentration of MPs was 1496.7 ± 1452.2
particles/L, ranging from 19.8 to 6626.7 particles/L. There were substantial differences (p <
0.05) in the quantities of MPs across different brands. Up to 91.3% of the particles found
were in the 1–10 μm size range. According to FTIR spectroscopy, polyethylene terephtha-
late (PET) was the most likely polymer. While mechanical stress to the bottles greatly
increased the levels of MP in the water, freezing the water in the bottles had no discernible
effect on the release of MPs. The age of the bottles and exposure to sunshine were two
environmental factors that had the greatest degradative influence on the MP release and
the structure of the polymers in the PET bottle body. Every kind, source, and commercial
brand of bottled water has hundreds to thousands of MPs/L of contamination. Over 90% of
these MPs are < 5 μm particles, which have a significant impact on human health
(Taheri et al., 2023)
.
In Iran , three experimental settings were used to examine the MPs in bottled mineral
waters as well as the effects of storage duration and direct sunshine on the MPs. The
concentration of MPs was 63.9 ± 38.9 MPs/L on average. Pellet forms, with diameters less
than 100 μm and a white or yellow color, were the most common MPs, making up 35.3%,
51%, and 60.2% of all MPs. Bottled water stored in the dark and in the sun increased MP
pollution by 1.5% and 2.5%, respectively. Additionally, the estimated daily intake (EDI) of
MPs for adults, children, and babies was 2.1, 6.4, and 9.6 MPs/kg BW.day.It is determined
that prolonged storage in direct sunlight and high human intake through bottled water may
result in increased MPs pollution in mineral water (Ravanbakhsh et al., 2023).
The study was informed by the fact that bottled water loses quality due to the leaching of
heavy metals into the water caused by solar exposure. For varying amounts of time, three
distinct plastic bottle brands (n = 100 each brand) were exposed to sunlight. The amount of
time spent exposed determined how much pollution leached. A health risk assessment for
every brand of bottled water indicated potential toxicity to Cr, Cd, Pb, As, and Ni. After 42
days of exposure, arsenic posed the highest non-carcinogenic risk and Ni the highest
carcinogenic risk across all brands. The WHO safety criteria were not fulfilled by the
microbiological parameters. To maintain a healthy populace, bottled water shouldn't be
exposed to the sun (Umoafia et al., 2023).
In Pakistan , information on the presence of microplastics in freshwater is scarce. The goal of
the current study was to find out how common and concentrated microplastics are in the
surface water and sediments of Pakistan's capital city, Rawal Lake. For water and sediments,
the average microplastic abundance was 0.142 items/0.1 L and 1.04 items/0.01 kg. The
majority of microplastics were found to be fibers and fragments, according to the results.
Blue, crimson, black, and transparent were the main hues. Due to the appearance of these
polymers' distinctive peaks, FTIR analysis of visible microplastic particles revealed a higher
degree of similarity with polyesters, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene
terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride. Additionally, the study found that the sediments had
higher concentrations of microplastics than the Rawal Lake's water. The lake's microplastic
contamination may be mostly caused by inappropriate waste disposal, tourism, recreational
activities, and a high population density surrounding the lake (Irfan et al., 2020) .
In Pakistan , concerns regarding the accumulation pattern and possible ecological effects of
plastic and microplastic pollution in freshwater systems are widespread. The monthly profile
of plastic pollution in the Soan River mouth was examined for the first time in this yearly
study. Seasonal variations appeared to be only one factor influencing variations in the
abundance and morphotypes; other factors may have included the river's
hydromorphological features, particularly the shape of the riverbed, and the direction of the
water flow. Using a μ-FTIR (micro-Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscope), just 5.2% of
the total items discovered were identified, with 70.7% of them being plastic items.
Spectroscopy showed that polyethylene terephthalate, which is a commonly occurring
polymer, dominated the market as fibers, with polypropylene and polyethylene coming in
second and third. The majority of the pieces, foams, and films were made of rayon,
polypropylene, and polystyrene. Given that the river is an urban one, the polymeric profile
showed how human activity significantly contributed to its pollution. These results serve as
a crucial resource for comprehending the plastic pollution profile in the Soan River and
serve as a major guide for developing policies aimed at reducing plastic pollution in riverine
networks (Jabeen et al., 2023).
Microplastics (MPs) have been found in a variety of goods and environmental samples,
including drinking water, wastewater, and goods that are ingested by humans. Still, not
much research has been done on MP contamination of bottled mineral water. Eleven
prominent brands of bottled mineral water in Iran were used as samples for the
investigation of MP contamination. A stereomicroscope examination and staining technique
allowed for the detection of MPs in 9 out of the 11 sample brands. MPs vary in quantity,
form, and color in several bottles. The majority of MPs (93%) and fiber (7%), with an average
concentration of 8.5 ± 10.2 particles/L. Furthermore, the substantial range in SD that was
detected was caused by the absence of MPs in 20% of the samples that were collected. FTIR
and Raman stereoscopy were used to confirm the existence of MPs, and PET, PS, and PP
were the most likely polymers to be discovered. Lastly, four scenarios involving human
exposure to microplastics on a daily and annual basis were examined. When comparing
human daily and yearly consumption using Valmet textures, the study's findings show that it
was insignificant; for adults, it was roughly 0.015 P/kg/bw/day and 5.35 P/kg/bw/year, and
for children, it was roughly 0.065 P/kg/bw/day and 23.43 P/kg/bw/year (Makhdoumi, 2021).

An in depth research on microplastics in bottled drinking water is required because in

Problem statement

The continuous storage of drinking water in plastic bottles can be substantial source of
unidentified microplastics being leached into the contained bottles.

Objectives
 To determine the amount of microplastics that leach from bottled drinking water
over time.
 To assess whether exposure to sunlight increases microplastic leaching.
 To determine the types and sizes of microplastics that are most likely to leach.
 To compare microplastic content in different commercially sold bottled drinking
water.
Proposed Methodology
Sample collection
Five different brands of sizes (500 ml , 1.5 L , 19 L) mineral water bottles will be collected
from grocery store. Total number of bottles will be 30.Three distinct storage conditions will
be used for the samples before they are used in the experiments: "I: on date bottled water
(less than 10 days after producing date),""II: will keep the bottles of water in a room and in
complete darkness for three months," and "III: will keep the bottles of water in direct
sunlight for three months." (Taheri et al., 2023)
This will be conducted in order to check either time duration and sun exposure have effect
on microplastic concentration or not.

Sample extraction
Preparing the Sample: Method of Filtration: To prevent contamination, filtered water will
be used to rinse every container and vacuum filtration equipment three times. Using
membrane glass microfibre filter and vacuum filtration, the drinking water will be purified.
After being placed in the covered petri dish, the membrane glass microfibre filter will
be examined further (Zainuddin & Syuhada, 2020).
Filter will be then subjected to FTIR ( Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy) analysis
for retained microplastics.

Sample analysis
FTIR analysis will be performed on circular sections from various filter areas that accounted
for 25% of the total filter surface. Using this technique, one quarter of the particles will be
examined, and the findings will be expolated to all of the particles. To determine the
polymer composition of microplastic particles, Fourier Transformed Infrared (FT-IR)
spectroscopy fitted with an attenuated total reflection (ATR) will be used
(Taheri et al., 2023)
.

Statistical analysis
Statistical software SPSS will be used. Two way analysis of variance and Tukey's honestly
significant difference test will be applied (Ravanbakhsh et al., 2023).

Timeline
October 2024

Literature review , Research design , Sample collection

November -December 2024

Experimental setup , Initial testing , Data collection, Microplastic analysis

January 2025

Data analysis, Data interpretation

February 2025

Peer review (for research findings)

March 2025

Final touches (for research findings)

Thesis drafting

June 2025

Thesis submission

References
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assessment. Journal of Environmental Management, 336.
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Ibeto, C. N., Enyoh, C. E., Ofomatah, A. C., Oguejiofor, L. A., Okafocha, T., & Okanya, V. (2023).
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Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 103(19), 8176–8195.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319.2021.1982926

Irfan, T., Khalid, S., Taneez, M., & Hashmi, M. Z. (2020). Plastic driven pollution in Pakistan: the first
evidence of environmental exposure to microplastic in sediments and water of Rawal Lake.
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https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-07833-1

Jabeen, K., Xu, J., Liu, K., Zhu, L., & Li, D. (2023). Monthly variation and transport of microplastics from the
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Makhdoumi, P., Amin, A. A., Karimi, H., Pirsaheb, M., Kim, H., & Hossini, H. (2021). Occurrence of
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Mustafa Dheyaa Mohamed Hadeed, & Kossay Kamalaldeen Al-Ahmady. (2022). Investigate the presence
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