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What the bottled-water study actually found
A 2024 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences used stimulated Raman scattering microscopy to examine bottled-water samples down to 100 nanometers. Columbia Climate School reported that the tested samples contained 110,000 to 370,000 plastic fragments per liter, with about 90% classified as nanoplastics and the rest as microplastics. The average was about 240,000 detectable fragments per liter across the reported samples. These counts describe the samples studied; they are not a brand-by-brand comparison or a measure of how much plastic a person absorbs.
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| 1 |
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Evian Natural Spring Water, 1 L bottle, 12 pack | $27.04 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Pure Life Purified Bottled Water - 12 Pack, 16.9 Fl Oz | $3.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Mountain Valley Water Spring Water 12 Pack, 1 LT | $52.45 | Buy on Amazon |
The researchers did not name the three U.S. brands. As Columbia’s later explainer also notes, the brands were not identified, so readers cannot use these results to choose a tested brand or infer that an unmentioned brand is cleaner. Columbia Climate School’s January 8, 2024 report summarizes the study and its scope.
Why the results cannot establish a particle-free brand
The team used an algorithm to look for seven common plastic types. Columbia reported that those types accounted for only about 10% of the nanoparticles found; the composition of the remainder was unknown. That means the targeted polymer findings do not amount to a universal test for every possible particle, and a result that does not identify a particular type cannot be treated as proof that a sample contains no plastic.
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- NATURALLY REFRESHING: Our pure bottled natural spring mineral water is always a refreshing, naturally hydrating drink. Its quality and taste make it perfect for serving by the glass, or drinking directly from the bottle at home, at school or at the gym.
- NATURAL HYDRATION: Evian's bottled water starts off nestled in the French Alps before delivering natural hydration and naturally occurring electrolytes. It's a great way to rehydrate post-workout, or as a refreshing drink on your lunch break or commute.
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Columbia reported detections of PET, used in many bottles, and polyamide, used in some filtration systems. The report discusses bottle abrasion and filtration as possible sources, but does not establish that a specific brand, bottle material, or filtration process caused every particle. The study overview explains the method and the limits of the identified particle types.
Does finding plastic particles mean bottled water is harmful?
Detection is not proof of harm. The study measured particles in a small set of bottled-water samples; it was not a clinical study of people who drank that water, a market-wide audit, or an assessment of disease risk. The sources do not establish a safe threshold or show that bottled water is safer or less safe than tap water. Researchers are still investigating possible exposure pathways and health effects, as Columbia explains in its May 5, 2025 overview of nanoplastics.
Rank #2
- Refreshing Taste: Every bottle of Pure Life Water is enhanced with minerals for a crisp taste that makes drinking water delicious. 12 pack of 16.9 fl oz water bottles.
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- A Taste You Can Trust: From collection to testing, every drop of our purified water goes through a rigorous quality process to ensure a crisp and refreshing taste every time.
How to make a practical water choice
This study offers no named-brand comparison, so choosing a bottled-water brand on the basis of its findings is not possible. If you are weighing bottled and tap water, consider the evidence that applies to your own situation rather than treating particle counts as a complete safety score:
- Local tap-water quality: Check information specific to your water supply; the bottled-water study does not assess it.
- Container and storage: Columbia’s 2025 explainer suggests avoiding bottled water and buying or storing products in glass as possible ways to lessen exposure. That is general guidance, not proof that glass removes particles already in water or guarantees particle-free water.
- Filter claims: Match a filter’s independently documented performance to the particles it has actually been shown to remove. The cited explainer mentions filtering tap water but does not validate a consumer filter for microplastic or nanoplastic removal.
A glass reusable bottle can change the container you use, but it is not a filter and does not make water free of plastic particles.
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- Mountain Valley Water, Water Spring, 33.8 Fl Oz, 12 Pack
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