July 2018 PMID 29641556

Anthropogenic contamination of tap water, beer, and sea salt.

Mary Kosuth, Sherri A Mason, Elizabeth V Wattenberg

Mentions

281
Peak: 14 in Aug 2019
across 6 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

398,612
potential audience

Total likes

170

Video views

2,429

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News212 articles
  • X / Twitter40 posts
  • Blogs10 articles
  • Facebook9 posts
  • Reddit6 posts
  • YouTube4 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions around the article are marked by references to its findings, such as the mention that the average person ingests over 5,800 plastic particles annually, and questions about accountability, reflecting high engagement and agreement. Users’ tone varies from serious (noting health dangers) to casual (sharing personal salt choices), but overall, the discourse underscores the impactful role of the article in raising awareness on microplastic pollution.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions acknowledge and support the findings about widespread microplastic contamination, emphasizing its seriousness and backing the publication's conclusions.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high curiosity about the topic, referencing specific studies, data, and implications for health and safety, indicating strong engagement.

EngagementModerate engagement

Many users discuss varying sources, health impacts, and accountability, demonstrating an in-depth interest and a willingness to delve into the topic, though some comments are more casual.

ImpactHigh impact

The conversations highlight significant concern about health risks and environmental implications, signaling that the publication influences public awareness and debates about pollution and safety practices.

Abstract in brief

  • This study examined the presence of human-made plastic particles in everyday consumables like tap water, beer, and sea salt, revealing widespread contamination.
  • Most of the detected particles were fibers, with tap water samples showing the highest average contamination; on average, people ingest over 5800 plastic particles annually from these sources.
  • The findings highlight the potential health risks from consuming plastic debris, emphasizing the need for further research and awareness of plastic pollution in human foods and beverages.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
PLOS
@PLOS · X

In our @goldschmidt2019 preview we're featuring articles on... Plastic pollution in oceans: https://t.co/P3eqBMGaV0 The link between reforestation and water quality: https://t.co/00NgSAduZx Plastic contamination of tap water, beer, and sea salt: https://t.co/1KbGK9Ctk6

Aug 17, 2019 · 16 likes · 12 shares · 147,837 followers View post →
Phys.org Space News
@physorg_space · X

Sounding the alarm on microplastic pollution @penn_state https://t.co/YTwXmg0knl https://t.co/xF94G68X4z

Feb 7, 2023 · 6 likes · 8 shares · 12,214 followers View post →
Ban Plastic Turf
@BanPlasticTurf · X

U.S. tap water had the highest mean concentration of microplastics of 14 countries tested. Microplastics can -adsorb reproductive toxicants, carcinogens, metals & bacteria from the environment -leach phthlates, BPA, other additives -damage human cells https://t.co/N55RKhmvx9 https://t.co/BptD5B8kYd

Dec 11, 2024 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 1,822 followers View post →
USGS Water Resources
@USGS_Water · X

Learn more about microplastics: https://t.co/CKkSUDr8N0 by @USGS_DataSci References: https://t.co/doF4qASSHL https://t.co/hzijDsnKKv

Oct 18, 2021 · 3 likes · 7,774 followers View post →
محمد الشقصي
@alshaqsim · X

@DeepKetosis @Ali_s_Well بالفعل وهذا رابط الدراسة التي تؤكد كلامك https://t.co/GlgctebiID @DeepKetosis

May 30, 2020 · 2 likes · 1,055 followers View post →
Zaid K. Dahhaj
@zaidkdahhaj · X

@duderfool I use Redmond’s Real Salt as opposed to Himalayan sea salt. The quality seems to be better and I don’t like micro plastic in my salt. https://t.co/scpwhJG0zJ

Mar 24, 2020 · 1 like · 49,077 followers View post →

All mentions

LaurenA
@LRNA11 · X

RT @BanPlasticTurf: U.S. tap water had the highest mean concentration of microplastics of 14 countries tested. Microplastics can -adsorb…

Dec 11, 2024 · 2 shares · 1,074 followers View post →
3G ⚽️ PITCHES: HEALTH RISKS, ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE
@Against_3G · X

RT @BanPlasticTurf: U.S. tap water had the highest mean concentration of microplastics of 14 countries tested. Microplastics can -adsorb…

Dec 11, 2024 · 2 shares · 2,579 followers View post →
Ban Plastic Turf
@BanPlasticTurf · X

U.S. tap water had the highest mean concentration of microplastics of 14 countries tested. Microplastics can -adsorb reproductive toxicants, carcinogens, metals & bacteria from the environment -leach phthlates, BPA, other additives -damage human cells https://t.co/N55RKhmvx9 https://t.co/BptD5B8kYd

Dec 11, 2024 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 1,822 followers View post →
Gregoresate
@Gregoresate · X

Yeep, now I know why I never liked Chicago beer. On the other hand, I need to sample what they're brewing up in old Duluth https://t.co/bbmN5ILNcF https://t.co/0mUMRcpoQZ

Jun 11, 2024 · 2,265 followers View post →
TheContrarian
@BullBearContra · X

RT @foundmyfitness: Plastic particles were found in 81% of global tap water samples, as well as in 12 brands of beer and sea salt. These fi…

May 10, 2023 · 665 shares · 73 followers View post →
meowss
@meowwsss · X

RT @physorg_space: Sounding the alarm on microplastic pollution @penn_state https://t.co/YTwXmg0knl https://t.co/xF94G68X4z

Feb 7, 2023 · 8 shares · 2,508 followers View post →
rsarhh
@rsarhhh · X

RT @physorg_space: Sounding the alarm on microplastic pollution @penn_state https://t.co/YTwXmg0knl https://t.co/xF94G68X4z

Feb 7, 2023 · 8 shares · 2,509 followers View post →
Lightspeed
@LightspeedSteps · X

RT @physorg_space: Sounding the alarm on microplastic pollution @penn_state https://t.co/YTwXmg0knl https://t.co/xF94G68X4z

Feb 7, 2023 · 8 shares · 1,388 followers View post →
Afterstorm
@Afterstorm13 · X

RT @physorg_space: Sounding the alarm on microplastic pollution @penn_state https://t.co/YTwXmg0knl https://t.co/xF94G68X4z

Feb 7, 2023 · 8 shares · 1,396 followers View post →
Dragofix
@Dragofix · X

RT @physorg_space: Sounding the alarm on microplastic pollution @penn_state https://t.co/YTwXmg0knl https://t.co/xF94G68X4z

Feb 7, 2023 · 8 shares · 4,905 followers View post →
IEE at Penn State
@IEEPennState · X

RT @physorg_space: Sounding the alarm on microplastic pollution @penn_state https://t.co/YTwXmg0knl https://t.co/xF94G68X4z

Feb 7, 2023 · 8 shares · 1,317 followers View post →
Penn State Research
@PSUresearch · X

RT @physorg_space: Sounding the alarm on microplastic pollution @penn_state https://t.co/YTwXmg0knl https://t.co/xF94G68X4z

Feb 7, 2023 · 8 shares · 7,871 followers View post →
Phys.org Space News
@physorg_space · X

Sounding the alarm on microplastic pollution @penn_state https://t.co/YTwXmg0knl https://t.co/xF94G68X4z

Feb 7, 2023 · 6 likes · 8 shares · 12,214 followers View post →
Laurel Yohe
@loloyohe · X

Is anyone being held accountable? Nope. Everything from our table salt

Jan 23, 2023 · 612 followers View post →
USGS Water Resources
@USGS_Water · X

Learn more about microplastics: https://t.co/CKkSUDr8N0 by @USGS_DataSci References: https://t.co/doF4qASSHL https://t.co/hzijDsnKKv

Oct 18, 2021 · 3 likes · 7,774 followers View post →
Enchi o Pedro de leite e meu braço q ficou ruim
@brunosger · X

@mvsmonteiro @saturnthereturn @hyacinth_lady Em tese qualquer coisa que esquenta numa superfície de plástico solta micropartículas plásticas (vide a ciênssia: https://t.co/kwqRorBRgd). É pelo mesmo motivo que muita gente evita potes plásticos pra comida, protetores de microondas e filtros convencionais

Jul 7, 2021 · 1 like · 887 followers View post →
Jesse Gilbride
@jessegilbride · X

We live in a plastic/chemical-infused world, and that really needs to stop. It's even in beer.

Jun 25, 2021 · 143 followers View post →
Mark Lloyd
@MarkGLloyd · X

RT @foundmyfitness: Plastic particles were found in 81% of global tap water samples, as well as in 12 brands of beer and sea salt. These fi…

May 21, 2021 · 665 shares · 3,266 followers View post →
Blue River
@BlueRiv88891964 · X

https://t.co/BbxqS3OIDn

Mar 31, 2021 · 2,053 followers View post →
محمد الشقصي
@alshaqsim · X

@DeepKetosis @Ali_s_Well بالفعل وهذا رابط الدراسة التي تؤكد كلامك https://t.co/GlgctebiID @DeepKetosis

May 30, 2020 · 2 likes · 1,055 followers View post →
Zaid K. Dahhaj
@zaidkdahhaj · X

@duderfool I use Redmond’s Real Salt as opposed to Himalayan sea salt. The quality seems to be better and I don’t like micro plastic in my salt. https://t.co/scpwhJG0zJ

Mar 24, 2020 · 1 like · 49,077 followers View post →
GUMIKO・ケリトバマダム揚
@torotaratoro · X

RT @ommzk: (PDF) Anthropogenic contamination of tap water, beer, and sea salt https://t.co/QJyo694519 201804 湖.ビール.水道水.お塩からのMicroplastic

Mar 5, 2020 · 722 followers View post →
Annick Vanisterbecq
@Annick_13 · X

#PLOSONE: Anthropogenic contamination of tap water, beer, and sea salt https://t.co/F1NCd54j97

Sep 14, 2019 · 313 followers View post →
Nicole Keyes
@nico_keyes · X

RT @foundmyfitness: Plastic particles were found in 81% of global tap water samples, as well as in 12 brands of beer and sea salt. These fi…

Sep 8, 2019 · 665 shares · 263 followers View post →
Ram Fernando
@RamFernando1 · X

RT @PLOS: In our @goldschmidt2019 preview we're featuring articles on... Plastic pollution in oceans: https://t.co/P3eqBMGaV0 The link betw…

Aug 29, 2019 · 12 shares · 901 followers View post →
Migue
@MigueComodoro · X

RT @foundmyfitness: Plastic particles were found in 81% of global tap water samples, as well as in 12 brands of beer and sea salt. These fi…

Aug 21, 2019 · 665 shares · 225 followers View post →
Gilgamesh Report
@GilgameshReport · X

RT @PLOS: In our @goldschmidt2019 preview we're featuring articles on... Plastic pollution in oceans: https://t.co/P3eqBMGaV0 The link betw…

Aug 21, 2019 · 12 shares · 25 followers View post →
Rodolfo Nóbrega | @rodolfonobrega.bsky.social
@RodolfoNobrega · X

RT @PLOS: In our @goldschmidt2019 preview we're featuring articles on... Plastic pollution in oceans: https://t.co/P3eqBMGaV0 The link betw…

Aug 19, 2019 · 12 shares · 645 followers View post →
Eider Talavera Urquijo
@eider_talavera · X

RT @PLOS: In our @goldschmidt2019 preview we're featuring articles on... Plastic pollution in oceans: https://t.co/P3eqBMGaV0 The link betw…

Aug 19, 2019 · 12 shares · 436 followers View post →
PLOS One
@PLOSONE · X

RT @PLOS: In our @goldschmidt2019 preview we're featuring articles on... Plastic pollution in oceans: https://t.co/P3eqBMGaV0 The link betw…

Aug 19, 2019 · 12 shares · 126,585 followers View post →
Rosario Marroquin-Flores
@rmarroqu3 · X

RT @PLOS: In our @goldschmidt2019 preview we're featuring articles on... Plastic pollution in oceans: https://t.co/P3eqBMGaV0 The link betw…

Aug 17, 2019 · 12 shares · 228 followers View post →
De myth ology
@kevinmcld · X

RT @PLOS: In our @goldschmidt2019 preview we're featuring articles on... Plastic pollution in oceans: https://t.co/P3eqBMGaV0 The link betw…

Aug 17, 2019 · 12 shares · 741 followers View post →
JLcpte
@Jlec7 · X

RT @PLOS: In our @goldschmidt2019 preview we're featuring articles on... Plastic pollution in oceans: https://t.co/P3eqBMGaV0 The link betw…

Aug 17, 2019 · 12 shares · 152 followers View post →
Imago AI LLC
@imagoApps · X

RT @PLOS: In our @goldschmidt2019 preview we're featuring articles on... Plastic pollution in oceans: https://t.co/P3eqBMGaV0 The link betw…

Aug 17, 2019 · 12 shares · 1,997 followers View post →
Gabriele Anisah
@GabiAnisah · X

Anthropogenic particle in tap water https://t.co/2wHcQgctXa

Aug 17, 2019 · 66 followers View post →
Angie Jackson-Morris
@angiembjm · X

RT @PLOS: In our @goldschmidt2019 preview we're featuring articles on... Plastic pollution in oceans: https://t.co/P3eqBMGaV0 The link betw…

Aug 17, 2019 · 12 shares · 623 followers View post →
daniel sienkiewicz
@MajorityRights · X

RT @PLOS: In our @goldschmidt2019 preview we're featuring articles on... Plastic pollution in oceans: https://t.co/P3eqBMGaV0 The link betw…

Aug 17, 2019 · 12 shares · 1,195 followers View post →
PLOS
@PLOS · X

In our @goldschmidt2019 preview we're featuring articles on... Plastic pollution in oceans: https://t.co/P3eqBMGaV0 The link between reforestation and water quality: https://t.co/00NgSAduZx Plastic contamination of tap water, beer, and sea salt: https://t.co/1KbGK9Ctk6

Aug 17, 2019 · 16 likes · 12 shares · 147,837 followers View post →
Nah Rex
@nah1111rex · X

The average person ingests over 5,800 particles of synthetic debris per year: https://t.co/f5j9Qo98x4

Apr 13, 2019 · 687 followers View post →
2929にくふく
@8z0dr5QNObKi23X · X

RT @kojija: プラスチック粒子は世界の水サンプルの81%、塩やビールの12ブランドに検出された https://t.co/pIskV8ThED #水 #プラスチック #塩 #ビール https://t.co/k6cShf3KnN

Jan 10, 2019 · 1 share · 5 followers View post →