Is it safe to drink sparkling water from a plastic bottle?
Use caution with sparkling water in plastic bottles, especially if bottles get warm or are stored for a long time.
What's actually in it
Sparkling water in plastic has carbonation, pressure, bubbles, and mild acidity. Those conditions are different from still water in a bottle.
This does not mean one plastic bottle is an emergency. It means plastic-bottled sparkling water is not the best daily default.
What the research says
A 2023 Water Research study tested plastic bottles for chilled carbonated beverages. The study found microplastic and nanoplastic release, and release increased as CO2 filling volume increased. Freeze-thaw cycles also increased release.
A 2023 Journal of Environmental Management study tested ten commercially sold soft drink brands and detected microplastics in all of them. The authors estimated about nine microplastic particles per liter from consumption.
Practical takeaway: choose sparkling water in glass when you can. Do not leave plastic bottles in a hot car or sunny spot. At home, serve sparkling water in glass or stoneware cups instead of drinking from plastic bottles all day.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic bottles for chilled carbonated beverages as a source of microplastics and nanoplastics. | Water Res | 2023 |
| Prevalence of microplastics in commercially sold soft drinks and human risk assessment. | J Environ Manage | 2023 |
What to use instead
For sparkling water at home, use glass cups instead of drinking all day from plastic bottles.
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