Quantification of Microplastic in Locally Brewed Beers in Malaysia

Authors:

DOI: 10.23880/oajwx-16000195

Volume 7, Issue 2

Abstract

Humans ingest five grams of microplastics on a weekly basis. Beverages serve as a microplastic conduit for entering the human body. Nevertheless, beer received minimal attention on microplastics despite its popularity. The objective of this study is to measure the quantity of microplastic particles that are present in locally brewed and packed beers and the amount of microplastic consumed by the beer drinkers in Malaysia. To accomplish this, a total of 15 beer samples from 5 distinct brands were examined. The analysis indicated that microplastics fibres measuring less than 0.5mm and fragments measuring less than 0.1mm were present in all the beer samples. The concentration of microplastics ranged from 75.8 to 212 particles per litre. The microplastics solely exhibited the colours black, blue, brown, and red. This study has quantified the amount of microplastic consumed by beer drinkers in Malaysia, which ranged from 533 to 1484 microplastic particles per year, depending on the specific brand of beer. This discovery enhances our understanding of microplastic pollution in beer and the potential accumulation of microplastics in those who consume it.

Keywords: Microplastic; Beer; Consumption; Malaysia

View PDF