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Occurrence, emissions, and risks of microplastics and plastic additives from typical municipal wastewater treatment plants effluents in China
Summary
A study of 46 wastewater treatment plants across China found that treated wastewater still releases huge amounts of tiny plastic particles and plastic-related chemicals (like BPA and phthalates, commonly found in food packaging and plastics) into rivers and lakes. Every plant tested showed at least moderate pollution risk, meaning the water treatment process we rely on to clean our water isn't fully removing these contaminants before they reach waterways that can eventually connect to drinking water sources or food chains. This matters because these chemicals and microplastics have been linked to hormone disruption and other health concerns, so understanding where they come
Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are important pathways for microplastics (MPs), plastic additives, and other associated contaminants to enter receiving waters, yet their combined pollution and risks remain poorly constrained across broad geographic regions. Here, MPs and plastic additives were investigated in effluents from 46 typical WWTPs distributed across 31 provincial-level regions of China. MPs occurred in all effluents at 6.0-589.0 items L⁻¹ ; fragments dominated, 95.6% were < 1 mm, and polystyrene was the most abundant polymer. National emissions were estimated at 2.35 × 10 particles yr, equivalent to 552 yr, with loads positively associated with served population. Sixty-four plastic additives and associated contaminants were detected at total organic concentrations of 799.54-5534.19 ng L⁻¹ . Bisphenols, phthalate esters, and organophosphate esters dominated the organic profile, contributing 58.9%, 26.5%, and 11.4%, respectively. Organic risks were driven mainly by bisphenols, whereas elevated Zn contributed to metal-related risk at some sites. Polymer-dependent co-occurrence patterns between MPs and additives indicated potential combined exposure. An ecological risk index integrating CRITIC-derived and expert-judgment weights classified all sites as moderate risk or higher. These findings provide broad geographic evidence from typical WWTPs and a tool for coordinated management of MPs, plastic additives, and associated contaminants in WWTP effluents.