Micro-and nanoplastic contamination in beverages in Vietnam

Plastic has improved human living conditions in many ways. However, studies have shown that the contamination of plastic particles in human tissue can cause serious health issues, reflecting the unforeseen consequences of improper plastic waste management. Micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) contamination has become a global concern for environmental and health scientists. However, current water treatment methods lack specific processes to eliminate plastic residues from water. The growing market for bottled drinks further raises concerns about the presence of plastic particles in daily human life. In this study, we report an investigation into plastic contamination in non-alcoholic beverages in Vietnam, including bottled water, soft drinks, and teas. As a developing country, Vietnam is severely affected by plastic pollution and lacks adequate resources to assess the extent of the contamination. Using a nanoparticle analyzer to detect particles in the liquid solutions, the number and size of MNP in the collected samples were identified. The results showed that bottled water contained an average of 4.6 × 10⁶ nanoplastic/mL, and 1.76 × 10⁷ microplastic/mL, while sugary drinks contained 1.91 × 10⁸ nanoplastic/mL and 1.27 × 10⁹ microplastic/mL. The sizes and shapes of these particles varied greatly, suggesting possible contamination from multiple sources. This is the first study to investigate the distribution of MNP in beverages in Vietnam. Although the sources of contamination could not be identified, the findings raise concerns about potential water pollution and production-related issues.