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Microplastic in Drinking Water: A Pilot Study
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A pilot study tested drinking water from various sources in Italy for microplastic contamination and found particle levels ranging from undetectable to about 5 particles per liter. The most common plastics found were polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET, ranging from 30 to 100 micrometers in size. Notably, water from water kiosks was free of microplastics, suggesting that some water distribution methods may offer better protection against this type of contamination.
In recent years, microplastic pollution has been a hot topic as these compounds have been used in various production contexts such as health, food or technology due to their chemical and physical properties and “shelf-life,” making them almost indispensable products in daily life. On the other hand, they have a negative impact on the environment and, consequently, on biota and human health. It is therefore necessary to assess the actual presence of microplastics in drinking water by analysing real samples in order to estimate the possible exposure through drinking water consumption. In this pilot study, drinking water from different aqueous matrices was examined for the presence of microplastics and characterized in terms of shape, size, abundance and polymer type by Raman microspectroscopy analysis. Not all samples analysed were found to be contaminated with microplastics, indeed, some, as in the case of water kiosk samples, were found to be free of such contaminants. The results for the various matrices showed that the microplastics content ranged from less than 2 particles/L to a maximum of 5 + 1.5 particles/L, with sizes ranging from 30 to 100 μm and consisted of the most common polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate.
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