Analysis of the presence of microplastics in different brands of bottled water in region 6-Ecuador

Due to the excessive use of plastics in the human food chain, the aim of this investigation was to evaluate the presence of microplastics in bottled water in region 6 of Ecuador. For this purpose, 72 samples from four different brands of bottled water were analyzed, various plastic particles (fibers and fragments) were found, which were subsequently confirmed through FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy). A full range of fragment sizes, from 4.4 to 248.29 µm, and fiber sizes, from 102.64 to 840.20 µm, were identified, which were classified as secondary microplastics. A statistical analysis was conducted to determine the means of fibers and fragments found in each brand and it was established that brand B had the highest quantity of microplastics, with an average of 233.1 particles per liter. Finally, polyethylene was identified as the most recurrent type of particle detected by FTIR, suggesting that the bottles themselves may be a source of contamination.