A comprehensive study led by the Institute for Environmental Diagnostics and Water Studies (IDAEA) within the CSIC network examined the occurrence of organophosphate plasticizers across a diverse set of 75 beverage samples. The collection spanned water, cola-type soft drinks, fruit juices, wine, and hot beverages. The results show that sugary drinks tend to carry notably higher levels of these plasticizers than plain water, with water exhibiting the lowest contamination. Published in Environment International, the work reveals that both packaging materials and added sugars contribute to the presence of these compounds in beverages.
Plasticizers are chemical additives that give plastics flexibility and durability. Recent investigations link several organophosphate plasticizers to health effects ranging from neurological disruption and endocrine interference to potential cancer risk and fertility concerns. One researcher highlighted that more than 95% of the beverages tested contained at least one of the 19 organophosphate plasticizers reviewed, underscoring widespread exposure in daily life. This insight comes from a lead author from IDAEA involved in the study.
Among the findings, sugary soft drinks such as cola showed the highest average contamination, around 2876 ng/L, while juices with added sugars reached approximately 2965 ng/L. In contrast, water samples averaged a much lower level, about 20.7 ng/L.
A notable focus was the prominent presence of 2-ethylhexyldiphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) in sugary beverages, drawing particular concern from researchers. The link between added sugar and elevated contamination is reinforced by analyses of sugar-containing samples that revealed higher EHDPP concentrations. Toxicological data associate EHDPP with an increased risk for certain cancers, including breast and uterine cancers.
To assess the role of packaging, the team analyzed beverages from the same brands sold in different formats: glass, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and tetra packs. Concentrations of organophosphate plasticizers remained similar across brands and packaging types, indicating that container material alone does not fully explain exposure levels.
Researchers noted that plasticizers were expected in bottles, cans, and tetra packs, yet unexpectedly high levels in glass-packaged drinks pointed to a coating used on the metal components of glass containers as a contamination source. This coating can release up to eight plasticizers into the liquid, with EHDPP repeatedly identified as a key compound involved in this transfer.
Considering Spain’s per capita beverage consumption, exposure through drinking could account for roughly 10% of total daily plasticizer intake. Although measured concentrations stay below established safety thresholds, the authors caution that these compounds can enter the human body by other routes, including ingestion from non-beverage foods and inhalation. A comprehensive exposure assessment is needed to gauge total intake across different routes and populations (attribution: Environment International, 2023).
For broader context, the study appears in Environment International, with the full reference available in ScienceDirect from 2023. Additional results and interpretations are discussed in related reports and reviews within the environmental health literature, underscoring the need to understand how beverage composition, packaging materials, and consumer habits intersect to shape plasticizer exposure across regions and demographics (attribution: journal citation, Environment International).
In summary, while this analysis highlights potential exposure pathways and health considerations, it does not declare universal risk levels for all population groups. Ongoing research continues to refine the understanding of how beverage matrices, packaging coatings, and consumer behaviors influence plasticizer exposure, with attention to regional consumption patterns in North America and beyond.