Plastic Particles in Coca-Cola Detected by Environmental Group
A recent study conducted by the French organization Agir pour l’environnement, also known as the Movement for the Environment, has revealed alarming findings. The investigation uncovered plastic particles in Coca-Cola and Schweppes products, including six different types of micro and nanoparticle plastics.
The study meticulously analyzed one-liter bottles of Coca-Cola and 1.5-liter bottles of Schweppes. By repeatedly opening the bottles, researchers aimed to identify the presence and concentration of plastic particles within the beverages. Using infrared analysis methods, they detected plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, discovering a total of six different plastic polymers in the samples.
Specifically, plastic particles in Coca-Cola bottles were found to average 46 micro particles per liter after the bottle cap was opened twenty times. In contrast, Schweppes bottles contained an even higher concentration, with 62 micro particles per liter under similar conditions. This finding highlights the pervasive nature of plastic contamination in these popular beverages.
Stéphen Kerckhove, the director of Agir pour l’environnement, emphasized the importance of public awareness regarding the potential health risks associated with these findings. “Consumers deserve to be informed about the potential health risks related to the presence of plastic particles in their drinks,” he stated. The organization believes that the friction caused by repeatedly opening the bottle cap leads to the formation of microplastics inside the bottles.
As concerns about plastic pollution continue to rise globally, these findings underscore the urgent need for beverage companies to address plastic contamination and explore safer packaging alternatives. The presence of plastic particles in Coca-Cola and Schweppes products raises significant questions about the safety of these beverages for consumers and the broader implications for environmental health.
