Presence of Microplastics in Drinking Water and Its Impact on Human Health

Being user-friendly, materials made up of plastics have entered greatly into human regular life. The production and use of plastic have been continuously increasing since the end of the Second World War. Plastics are biologically non-degradable materials which finally end their life as landfill. After that, the large plastic materials undergo a physical or biological fragmentation process, resulting in the formation of microplastics (MPs) or nano plastics (NPs). Microplastics can be characterized by a size of less than 5 mm. In recent decades, concerns have been raised to investigate the impact of microplastics on biolife, as it is being detected in the tissues of various organisms. The presence of microplastics is also found in various human organs. The main route of entry is found to be the oral intake. The aim of our study is to integrate the available research data on the presence of microplastics in drinking water to draw a clear picture in this matter. This review synthesizes recent peer-reviewed and regulatory research, examining the occurrence of microplastics in tap and bottled water, analytical methods, treatment efficacy, health impacts, and regulatory frameworks. Emerging analytical standardization and risk-based guidance are also addressed. Future research and policy directions emphasize harmonization of measurement methods, improved toxicological data, and effective exposure mitigation.