Life Tips 24/06/2025 00:21

Sh0cking new study finds glass bottles contain 5 to 50 times more microplastics than plastic ones.

Glass bottles found to have five to 50 times as many microplastics as plastic bottles in shocking new study
Glass Half Full — of Microplastics?
Microplastics are infiltrating every aspect of our daily lives — from chewing gum to cosmetics and even beloved snack foods.
With a name like microplastics, it’s natural to assume they’d be more prevalent in products packaged in or made of plastic. But a surprising new study challenges that assumption.
Published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, the research reveals an unexpected source of microplastic exposure: beverages sold in glass bottles.
A Shocking Discovery
Guillaume Duflos, research director at ANSES — France’s national food safety agency — explained to AFP that the study aimed to measure microplastic levels across various beverage types and to assess whether packaging material influenced contamination.
Contrary to their expectations, the team discovered that drinks packaged in glass bottles — such as soda, beer, lemonade, and iced tea — contained five to 50 times more microplastics than those in plastic or metal containers.
“We were truly surprised by the outcome,” said co-author Iseline Chaib.
On average, glass-bottled drinks were found to contain around 100 microplastic particles per liter. The researchers traced the source to the paint used on bottle caps.
The Hidden Culprit: Painted Bottle Caps
Chaib noted that the microplastic particles identified shared similar shapes, colors, and chemical makeup to the paint coating the outer surfaces of the bottle caps used to seal glass bottles.
The team speculates that microscopic abrasions, possibly caused by bottles rubbing together during storage, might shed particles from the painted caps — leading to contamination inside the bottle.
Puzzling Variations
Despite this overarching trend, there were still anomalies. In glass bottles, the average microplastic count was just 4.5 particles per liter, and plastic bottles showed even lower levels — only 1.6 particles per liter.
Interestingly, wine bottles — even those with caps — exhibited minimal levels of microplastics.
Yet the study found significantly higher contamination in specific beverages: beer averaged 60 particles per liter, lemonade had 40, and soft drinks contained about 30.
Duflos acknowledged the inconsistency, noting that the full explanation for these differences “is still unknown.”
Health Concerns Remain
While scientists are still working to understand the full implications, growing evidence suggests microplastics may pose risks to human health. Research has linked these particles to inflammation, hormone imbalances, DNA damage, respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease, and even some types of cancer.
Despite being seen as a cleaner alternative, glass bottles may not be as safe as once believed — at least when it comes to microplastics. As investigations continue, the findings serve as a reminder that even seemingly eco-friendly choices may carry unseen complications.

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