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Study of Microplastic Concentrations at the Drinking Water Depot in Sumbersari Village, Jember Regency
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Researchers measured microplastic contamination in 12 refillable drinking water depots in Sumbersari, Indonesia, finding an average concentration of 7.1 particles per liter, mostly fibers and fragments. Consumers were estimated to ingest between 5.61 and 15.98 microplastic particles per liter per day.
Microplastics are a new pollutant that has become a global problem and requires treatment as soon as possible. Microplastics are plastic waste that degrades into small particles measuring <5 mm. Until now, microplastics have not only been found in the environment but also in drinking water. Based on the results of field studies, it is known that drinking water refills at drinking water depots (DAM) are an alternative option used by the people of the Sumbersari sub-district to meet their drinking water needs. This paper examines the presence of microplastics in refillable drinking water, including the characteristics, concentration, and exposure to microplastics in consumers of refillable drinking water. This observational study uses descriptive methods to systematically examine and present facts regarding microplastics and exposure to microplastics in DAM in the Sumbersari sub-district. The research showed that microplastics had contaminated 12 DAM with an average microplastic concentration of 7.1 particles/liter. The forms or types of microplastics found were fibers and fragments with sizes ranging from 0.01 mm to <5 mm and the colors most commonly found were blue, black, red, gray, and transparent. The measurement results also explain that consumers of refillable drinking water will be exposed to microplastics of at least 5.61 particles/liter/day and a maximum of 15.98 particles/liter/day, depending on the amount of drinking water consumed daily.
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Microplastic Contamination in Drinking Water Treatment Systems: A Case Study of Bedadung River Jember
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Researchers traced microplastic contamination through the Bedadung River water treatment chain in Indonesia, from intake to consumer taps, at seven sampling points. MPs were present throughout the system, with concentrations declining through treatment stages but not reaching zero, indicating residual MP exposure in treated drinking water.
Microplastic occurrence and removal in unbranded refilled drinking water treatment systems: Implications for human exposure in Karawang, Indonesia
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Researchers tested refillable drinking water sold at local shops in Indonesia and found that even after treatment, the water still contained tiny plastic particles—mostly tiny fibers and fragments, likely from common plastics like polyethylene or polypropylene. While treatment cut microplastic levels roughly in half, it didn't remove them completely, meaning people who rely on this common, affordable water source may be regularly swallowing plastic particles without realizing it. The study is a first step in flagging this exposure risk, but more research is needed to understand the actual health effects and improve filtration methods.
Analysis of Microplastic Content in Surface Water of the Gajah Mungkur Reservoir in Indonesia
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Researchers analyzed surface water from Indonesia's Gajah Mungkur Reservoir, a drinking water source, and found microplastics at every sampling location, with concentrations ranging from 340 to 820 particles per cubic meter. The dominant shapes were filaments and fibers, and the plastics identified included polypropylene and polystyrene. The highest contamination was found at an upstream river inlet, suggesting that rivers are a key delivery route for microplastics into the reservoir. The findings raise concerns about microplastic exposure through drinking water drawn from Indonesian surface water sources.
Microplastic Abundance in Refilled Drinking Water: The Role of Depot Sanitation and Maintenance Practices
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A study of 36 water refill stations in Indonesia found that every single sample of refilled drinking water contained microplastics — tiny plastic particles that can end up in our bodies. The good news: stations with regular cleaning schedules and better hygiene practices had significantly less contamination, meaning simple maintenance habits could help reduce how many plastic particles end up in your drinking water.
Measurement and daily consumption of microplastics in drinking water from a Small Island Developing State—Fiji: from freshwater to groundwater sources
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Researchers conducted the first baseline study of microplastics in drinking water sources across Fiji, including raw, treated, tap, rain, ground, and bottled water. They found microplastics present in all water types, with fibers being the most common form, and estimated daily ingestion rates for different age groups. The study highlights that small island developing states face significant microplastic exposure through their drinking water supply.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.