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Environmental Determinants of Fecal Microplastic Abundance: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Musi River Basin, Indonesia
Summary
Researchers studying an Indonesian river community found that people who drank refilled water (bottled water from refill stations) or used teabags had more microplastic particles in their stool — tiny plastic bits that can enter your body through everyday food and drinks. This suggests some common daily habits, like brewing tea or using refill water services, may quietly add to your plastic exposure, making water quality and packaging choices worth paying attention to.
Background: Microplastics have been detected across multiple environmental compartments and can enter the human body through food and drinking water, representing an emerging concern in environmental toxicology related to chronic human exposure. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among residents of the Musi River watershed, Indonesia, involving samples of refilled drinking water, tea products, and human feces. Microplastics were identified using digital microscopy and classified according to GESAMP guidelines. Associations between environmental exposure factors and fecal microplastic abundance were analyzed using correlation analysis and multiple linear regression. Results: Microplastics were detected in all analyzed matrices. Fecal microplastic abundance was significantly associated with duration of residence (r = 0.241, p = 0.041), consumption of refilled drinking water (r = 0.284, p = 0.037), and teabag consumption (r = 0.312, p = 0.021). Teabag consumption showed the strongest association; however, documented consumption patterns indicated that teabags were routinely prepared using refilled drinking water. In multivariate analysis, all three factors were independent predictors, explaining 31.2% of the variance (R² = 0.312; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Microplastics present in refilled drinking water and teabags represent an additional route of human exposure that should be considered in strategies to improve drinking water quality and reduce environmental health risks.