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Microplastic-environmental and drinking water problem
Summary
Tiny plastic bits called microplastics, smaller than 5mm, are showing up in tap water, bottled water, and the natural water sources they come from, largely due to pollution from cities. This review of existing research found that reported levels vary widely from study to study, partly because scientists don't yet agree on the best way to measure these particles, meaning we still don't have a clear picture of how much plastic is actually in the water we drink. Until standardized testing methods are developed, it's hard to know the true scale of exposure or what it might mean for our health.
The problem of water pollution by plastic waste is particularly visible in the seas and oceans. However, surface inland waters are characterized by a significant amount of plastic particles <5 mm, so-called microplastics (MPs). This review presents the essential role of urbanized areas as a source of these contaminants entering into water environment and the characteristic of microplastic contaminants. The consequence of environmental contamination by plastics is the presence of microplastic particles in potable water. Microplastic pollutants have been found in tap water from surface and underground water intakes, as well as in bottled water. Concentrations of microplastic particles in drinking water presented by researches are very different, but in many cases are very high. The varied results of the microplastics in drinking water can be the result of the different analytical methods used in the investigations. Due to this fact, the development of reference analytical methods for the determination of plastic contaminants in the water is an important issue.