Is There Microplastic in Bottled Water?

Yes, according to a 2024 Columbia University study. Researchers counted an average of about 240,000 detectable plastic fragments per liter of bottled water, 10 to 100 times more than earlier estimates, which were based mainly on larger particles.

They tested three popular US bottled water brands, which they declined to name, looking at particles down to 100 nanometers, and found 110,000 to 370,000 particles per liter, 90 percent of them nanoplastics. The team used stimulated Raman scattering microscopy, which probes a sample with two lasers tuned to make specific molecules resonate.

Health effects are not established. The FDA says several studies have found microplastics and nanoplastics in both tap and bottled water, but that the scientific evidence does not demonstrate that the levels found pose a risk to human health, and it notes there are currently no regulatory limits for them in drinking water.

Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.

The sources behind this answer

  • StudyColumbia University researchers found an average of about 240,000 detectable plastic fragments per liter of bottled water, 10 to 100 times more than previous estimates. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health ↗
  • StudyThe study used stimulated Raman scattering microscopy, which probes samples with two simultaneous lasers tuned to make specific molecules resonate. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health ↗
  • StudyThe researchers tested three popular US bottled water brands, which they declined to name, and found 110,000 to 370,000 particles per liter, 90 percent of them nanoplastics. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health ↗
  • Government sourceThe FDA says studies have found microplastics and nanoplastics in both tap and bottled water, but the scientific evidence does not demonstrate that the levels in water pose a risk to human health. US FDA ↗
  • Regulatory filingThe FDA notes that the EPA sets limits for contaminants in tap water, but there are currently no regulatory levels for microplastics or nanoplastics in drinking water. US FDA ↗

Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.

Where to go next