A review on the presence of microplastics in Asian water and health consequences

Microplastics have become a concerning global environmental issue, with their presence in freshwater sources increasing potential health risks, particularly in Asian countries. Inadequate waste management systems and rapid industrialization in these countries contribute to the accumulation of microplastics in drinking water sources. Understanding the spatial distribution of microplastics as well as the health risks associated with microplastic exposure is crucial for ensuring the well-being of the population in Asia. In this review, we assess the literature on the spatial distribution and sources of microplastics and the impact of microplastics on human health due to microplastic contamination in drinking water sources in Asian countries. The integrated results show that the abundance of microplastics varies significantly across countries. Considering that only a few studies have been performed on microplastic distributions in landlocked countries, microplastic particles are present in various freshwater sources, such as rivers, lakes, tap water, groundwater and even bottled water. The microplastic concentration ranged from a maximum of 13225 particles/L to a minimum of 0.0000003 particles/L. Various multicoloured microplastics, fibers and fragments, which vary in size and are mostly less than 5 mm in various drinking water sources, have been observed. The identified polymers were polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The ingestion of microplastics directly or indirectly impacts various physical, chemical, and biological processes in an organism. The findings of this review contribute to the understanding of microplastic-related health risks and can inform strategies to mitigate the impact of microplastic contamination in drinking water, safeguard public health, and guide policy-making in Asian countries.