We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Metro station free drinking water fountain- A potential “microplastics hotspot” for human consumption
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested drinking water from free public fountains across 42 metro stations in Mexico City for microplastic contamination. Microplastics were found in every sample, with an average of 18 particles per liter, predominantly transparent fibers made of polyester and epoxy resin. The study suggests that public drinking water fountains may be an overlooked source of human microplastic exposure.
Microplastics have become an inevitable component of our environment. Worldwide, free public fountains are common and one of the best sources of drinking water which are being installed with one of the viewpoints of reducing single-use plastics bottle consumption. However, the state of knowledge on how microplastics might be affecting in those free public drinking fountains is unknown. In this study, free drinking water fountains from 42 metro stations in Mexico City were being looked into for the occurrence of microplastics and investigated their shape type, size, abundance, distribution, polymer composition and surface morphology. Microplastics were detected in all the samples analyzed. The results revealed the significant abundance of microplastics ranging from 5 ± 2 to 91 ± 14 L in drinking water with an overall average of 18 ± 7 microplastics L. Transparent fibers (69%) were predominant in the identified microplastics followed by blue (24%) and red colored (7%) fibers. The most frequent microplastics dimensions ranged between 0.1 and 1 mm which is approximately 75% of the total microplastics. Micro-Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated that microplastics contained in drinking water were mainly polyesters (poly (trimethylene terephthalate)) and epoxy resin suggesting the possible contribution of wastewater discharges for microplastics contamination. Thus, this study findings show that free public drinking water fountains are potential microplastics hotspot for human consumption and provide useful references for mitigation measures.
More Papers Like This
Human exposure to microplastics from urban decentralized pay-to-fetch drinking-water refill kiosks
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed 63 drinking water samples from decentralized pay-to-fetch refill kiosks in Mexico City for microplastic contamination. The study found microplastics present in all samples, raising concerns about human exposure through this widely used urban water distribution system that serves a large population.
Free, but not microplastic-free, drinking water from outdoor refill kiosks: A challenge and a wake-up call for urban management
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were detected in water from all 22 free outdoor drinking water refill kiosks tested in Mexico City parks, with an average concentration of 74 MPs per liter. The presence of MPs in these widely-used free water sources highlights a public health gap in microplastic monitoring and removal standards for urban water distribution infrastructure.
Microplastic pollution of drinking water in a metropolis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed 100 drinking water samples from various sources across Istanbul and found microplastics in every sample, with concentrations ranging from 10 to 390 particles per liter. Eight different polymer types were identified, including polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC, in both fiber and fragment forms. The findings indicate that drinking water in major metropolitan areas is a consistent pathway for human microplastic exposure.
Microplastics in Water Samples Collected from Urban Fountains
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations and polymer types in public fountain water across Polish and German cities, finding microplastics in every sampled fountain with fibers as the dominant fraction, and observing lower overall contamination in German fountains—likely reflecting differences in urban dust and pavement particle loads rather than polymer-specific patterns.
Occurrence and identification of microplastics in tap water from China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed 38 tap water samples from cities across China and found microplastics in all of them, with concentrations averaging around 440 particles per liter. Most particles were smaller than 50 micrometers, and the dominant types were polyethylene and polypropylene fragments. The findings highlight that drinking water treatment plants face a significant challenge in addressing microplastic contamination in the water supply.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.