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Microplastics in drinking water: A silent threat amplifying health inequities in low-resource settings

European Journal of Internal Medicine 2026
Mohamed Daud Mohamed, Liibaan Abdulahi Sudi, Abdikadir Ahmed Hassan, Iqro Omar Ibrahim, Yakub Burhan Abdullahi

Summary

Tiny plastic particles called microplastics are turning up in drinking water everywhere—from tap water to bottled water, in both wealthy and poorer countries. This review of existing research highlights that communities with fewer resources for water treatment may face greater exposure and health risks, turning a global contamination problem into a matter of health inequality. While scientists are still studying exactly how microplastics affect our bodies, the takeaway is clear: clean water access isn't just about availability—it's about protecting everyone equally from this hidden contaminant.

Study Type Environmental

Microplastics have become ubiquitous contaminants in global drinking water supplies. Detected in tap water, bottled water, and untreated sources across both high- and low-income countries, these particles represent an emerging public health threat that demands attention beyond the environmental sciences [1].

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