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Microplastic in tap water – preliminary tests
Summary
Researchers tested tap water from homes in a Polish city and found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in every single sample, with amounts ranging from a few dozen to over 8,000 particles per cubic meter of water. The likely source isn't the water treatment process itself, but rather the plastic pipes that carry water into your home slowly breaking down over time. While more research is needed to confirm exactly which pipes or fittings are shedding these particles, this study is a reminder that the water infrastructure itself may be adding microplastics to what comes out of your faucet.
ABSTRACT The article aims to describe the problem related to the possibility of secondary contamination of tap water with microplastic particles. Samples were collected in situ (with minimal risk of external contamination) from individual consumers located in Upper Silesia Agglomeration. It was shown that microplastic particles were present in each of the points covered by the research in amounts ranging from several dozen (78) to several thousand (8,200) per cubic meter of water. In the samples collected for Sample Points 1 and 2, microplastics in the form of fibers dominated. Fragments dominated in Sample Point 3. The division of microplastics due to their colour was also very characteristic (at Sample Points 1 and 2 transparent microplastic fibers dominated and at Sample Point 3 microplastic particles were blue). Contamination by microplastic was present both in water from underground intakes and surface intakes. It is assumed that the microplastic in tap water is secondary contamination and its origin is the erosion of the plastic pipes in the water supply system. This indicates the need for further research to accurately determine which elements or fragments of the water supply system may be responsible for the appearance of microplastics in tap water. The conclusions take into account the guidelines for further research on the behavior of microplastics in water supply networks.