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Low numbers of microplastics detected in drinking water from ground water sources
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Researchers analyzed groundwater and drinking water samples in Germany for microplastics using advanced infrared imaging and found very low concentrations, averaging less than one particle per cubic meter. The particles detected were common polymer types like polyethylene and polyamide, likely from the water supply infrastructure itself. The study provides reassuring evidence that ground-sourced drinking water contains far fewer microplastics than surface water or bottled water.
Microplastic particles have been detected in various natural habitats and the digestive tracts of several species. These particles have also been reported in commercially available seafood, salt or bottled water starting discussions on potential implications for human health. To be able to assess the related risks, exposure concentrations and pathways need to be known. Here, we analysed ground water and drinking water for the presence of microplastics (>20 μm) using FTIR imaging. Samples were taken at different positions within the drinking water supply chain. Determined concentrations ranged from 0 to 7 microplastics m raw water or drinking water with an overall mean of 0.7 microplastics m. These particles were identified as polyethylene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinylchloride or epoxy resin and between 50 and 150 μm in size. Plastic is a resistant and durable material, still, the abrasion of plastic equipment used during water purification or transport is a likely explanation for the plastic particles detected in water samples.
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A study of twelve groundwater wells across urban and rural areas of Mosul, Iraq, found microplastic contamination in all samples, ranging from 18 to 103 particles per liter. Most particles were small (under 1 mm), with fibers and fragments both present, and polymer types including polyethylene and polypropylene identified by infrared spectroscopy. Groundwater is a primary drinking water source for millions of people in arid regions, and finding widespread microplastic contamination at these levels underscores the need for water treatment systems capable of removing plastic particles before consumption.
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Researchers developed a novel method to detect both micro- and nanoplastics in drinking water using scanning electron microscopy and advanced infrared spectroscopy capable of identifying particles as small as 300 nanometers. The study found that bottled water had significantly higher concentrations of plastic particles than treated tap water, particularly for smaller micro- and nanoplastics, with polyamide, PET, and polyethylene being the most common polymers.
Investigation of microplastics contamination in drinking water of a German city
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Drinking water in a German city was investigated for microplastic contamination by sampling from household connections, a transfer station, and consumption taps in multiple types of buildings. Microplastics were detected in drinking water at several sampling points, raising questions about treatment efficacy and human exposure through drinking water consumption.
A Study of Microplastic Particles in Danish Tap Water
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Researchers investigated microplastic presence in tap water from 17 households and workplaces across Denmark using careful contamination controls. They found a low level of microplastic particles in Danish drinking water, with most particles being small fragments or fibers. The study suggests that while microplastics are detectable in treated tap water, the concentrations found in Denmark's well-maintained water infrastructure were relatively low.
Drinking plastics? – Quantification and qualification of microplastics in drinking water distribution systems by µFTIR and Py-GCMS
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Researchers used two advanced analytical methods to measure microplastics in drinking water distribution systems in Denmark. They found low but measurable concentrations of microplastic particles, primarily polyethylene and polyester, and emphasize the importance of using rigorous, standardized methods to produce reliable data on microplastic levels in tap water.
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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.