Assessment of awareness and practice on plastic water bottle usage among undergraduates of University of Kelaniya

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is highly used in the production of polycarbonate plastics. BPA migrates from polycarbonate containers, leading to human BPA exposure. BPA is an endocrine disruptor, which perturbs natural endocrine pathways. BPA leaching from plastic products is affected by pH, high temperature, product quality, washing practices and age of the product. Even though plastics are popular in the Sri Lankan market, scientific research on their usage pattern and public awareness on health risks are poorly known. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating plastic water bottle usage, consumer practices, and public awareness on BPA using a questionnaire survey. A questionnaire was developed and validated to obtain information on types of plastic water bottles used, duration of use, price of the product, cleaning practices, nature of beverages stored, knowledge on plastic associated health risks including BPA and knowledge on safe use of plastic bottles. The online questionnaire was administered among 502 undergraduates in the University of Kelaniya during the period of September–November 2023. A majority of 348 students (69.3%) use plastic water bottles and nearly 38.5% of undergraduates were at risk of BPA exposure. Majority of the students were at increased risk of exposure to BPA and other plastic-related chemicals due to unfavorable practices such as storing at high temperature (54.9%), storing acidic beverages (40.3%) and practicing harsh washing conditions (46%). A total of 289 students (83.0%) were aware on leaching of toxic chemicals from plastic bottles. Despite, majority (70.4%) lacked awareness on major plastic related chemical, BPA and its health implications. Out of the plastic users, only 28.2% were aware on both plastic-associated chemicals and on BPA migration. 191 undergraduates (54.9%) were aware of toxic chemicals associated with plastics but were not aware of BPA. Also 15.5% of users were not aware on any type of risk associated with plastic usage. Although polycarbonate and non-recycling number bottle users are of increased risk of BPA exposure, out of polycarbonate plastic users, 70.8% were not aware on BPA. Also, out of the users of plastics without any number, 70.9% were not aware on BPA. As per the survey, plastic water bottles were popular among undergraduates in the University of Kelaniya. However, awareness on plastic-associated health risks and consumer practices were unsatisfactory.