Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Contamination, morphological and chemical characterization, and hazard risk analyses of microplastics in drinking water sourced from groundwater in a developing nation

Researchers analyzed groundwater from six coastal districts in a developing nation and found widespread microplastic contamination, with fibers and fragments of polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common types. Since groundwater is the primary drinking water source in many developing countries, this contamination represents a direct pathway for microplastic ingestion by millions of people.

2024 Frontiers in Environmental Science 20 citations
Article Tier 2

First evidence of microplastics and their characterization in bottled drinking water from a developing country

Scientists in a developing country analyzed 10 brands of bottled drinking water and found microplastics in all samples, with concentrations varying by brand. The most common particles were polyethylene and polypropylene fragments and fibers, likely originating from the plastic bottle caps and packaging. This study adds to evidence that bottled water is a significant source of daily microplastic intake for people worldwide.

2023 Frontiers in Environmental Science 36 citations
Article Tier 2

First assessment of occurrence, characteristics and human exposure of microplastics in bottled drinking water, Nepal

Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastics in bottled drinking water from Nepal's mountain, hill, and Terai regions, finding microplastics in all 35 samples tested (mean 118 items/L), with fiber-shaped particles dominating at 71.76%, establishing a baseline for this developing-country context.

2025 Cleaner Water
Article Tier 2

Drinking plastic: a study of microplastic concentrations in drinking water from rural and urban sources in Mali, Africa

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in drinking water from rural and urban sources in Mali, Africa, finding microplastics in all samples and identifying higher concentrations in urban supplies, with implications for human health in a region with limited water treatment infrastructure.

2024
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and size distribution study of microplastics in household water from different cities in continental Spain and the Canary Islands

Researchers sampled tap water from 24 locations across mainland Spain and the Canary Islands to measure microplastic contamination in household drinking water. They found an average of about 12.5 microplastic particles per cubic meter of tap water, with synthetic fibers being the most common type detected. The study provides one of the first standardized comparisons of drinking water microplastic levels across multiple cities within a single country.

2023 Water Research 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Prevalence and implications of microplastics in potable water system: An update

This review summarizes current knowledge on microplastic contamination in drinking water systems worldwide, covering sources, detection methods, and potential health implications. Researchers found that microplastics are present in both tap and bottled water, with fibers and fragments being the most common types detected. The study highlights the need for standardized testing methods and regulatory limits to protect public health from microplastic exposure through drinking water.

2023 Chemosphere 47 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in freshwater lakes: A case study from Southern India

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in Vellayani Lake, a major drinking water source in southern India, and found particles present across all sampling sites and seasons. Fibers were the most common shape, with polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymer types, likely originating from domestic wastewater and fishing activities. The study highlights the need for monitoring microplastic pollution in freshwater lakes that serve as critical drinking water supplies.

2024 Geosystems and Geoenvironment 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Presence and Quantification of Microplastic in Urban Tap-Water

Tap water samples from Brasília, Brazil were found to contain microplastic contamination, with fibers being the most common type detected across both residential zones tested. The study adds to growing evidence that people may be regularly ingesting microplastics through municipal drinking water.

2020 Harvard Dataverse
Article Tier 2

Presence of microplastics in drinking water from different freshwater sources in Flanders (Belgium), an urbanized region in Europe

Researchers analyzed drinking water from nine treatment plants and nine household taps across Flanders, Belgium, and found low but measurable levels of microplastics (averaging 0.01–0.02 particles per liter), with polypropylene and PET as the most common types. When extrapolating to include smaller particles not detectable by standard methods, estimated exposure rises to roughly 5–6 particles per liter, highlighting gaps in current detection approaches.

2022 International Journal of Food Contamination 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Study of Microplastic Concentrations at the Drinking Water Depot in Sumbersari Village, Jember Regency

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in 12 refillable drinking water depots in Sumbersari, Indonesia, finding an average concentration of 7.1 particles per liter, mostly fibers and fragments. Consumers were estimated to ingest between 5.61 and 15.98 microplastic particles per liter per day.

2024 JURNAL KESEHATAN LINGKUNGAN Jurnal dan Aplikasi Teknik Kesehatan Lingkungan
Article Tier 2

Microplastics pollution in groundwater: Case study - Slovenia

Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in Slovenian groundwater, which supplies drinking water to 98% of the population, characterizing MP occurrence, transport, and risk across multiple aquifer systems affected by urban, industrial, and agricultural activities.

2024
Review Tier 2

A Review of Microplastics in Freshwater Environments: Locations, Methods, and Pollution Loads

This review chapter summarizes global research on microplastics in freshwater environments, covering detection locations, sampling methods, and pollution levels. Because many freshwater bodies serve as drinking water sources, understanding where microplastics occur and in what quantities is critical for assessing risks to human health.

2020 ACS symposium series 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic accumulation, morpho-polymer characterization, and dietary exposure in urban tap water of a developing nation

Researchers analyzed tap water from four major cities in Bangladesh and found microplastics in every sample, with an average of about 35 particles per liter, higher than most other countries studied. The vast majority were tiny fibers less than 0.5 mm, primarily made of polyethylene. The estimated daily intake of about 2.65 microplastic particles per person through tap water alone highlights how people in developing nations may face disproportionate microplastic exposure through their drinking water.

2024 Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Malaysian bottled water brands: Occurrence and potential human exposure

Researchers tested eight major bottled water brands sold in Malaysia and found microplastic particles in all of them, with concentrations varying significantly between brands. The most common types were fragments and fibers made of polyethylene and polypropylene. The study estimates daily microplastic intake from bottled water consumption and highlights the need for quality standards addressing microplastic contamination in drinking water.

2022 Environmental Pollution 99 citations
Article Tier 2

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

Researchers reviewed studies from across Asia and found microplastics in virtually every type of freshwater source — rivers, lakes, tap water, groundwater, and bottled water — with concentrations varying widely by country, raising public health concerns especially where waste management infrastructure is limited.

2025 Discover Environment 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in drinking water treatment plants, distribution systems, water from refill kiosks, tap waters and bottled waters

This review summarizes research on microplastic contamination across the entire drinking water supply chain, from treatment plants to tap water and bottled water. Microplastics were found at every stage, with concentrations varying widely depending on location and treatment methods. The findings highlight that people are regularly consuming microplastics through their drinking water, though more standardized research is needed to fully understand the health implications.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 82 citations
Article Tier 2

Identifying microplastic contamination in drinking water: analysis and evaluation using spectroscopic methods

Researchers developed analytical methods to identify and quantify microplastic contamination in drinking water, evaluating extraction efficiency and detection accuracy across different water types and plastic particle sizes. The study assessed health implications based on measured plastic loads in treated water.

2024 Interdisciplinary Environmental Review
Article Tier 2

A state of the art-mini review on the sources, contamination, analysis, and consequences of microplastics in water

Researchers reviewed global studies on microplastics in water, finding that adults may ingest up to 1.2 million microplastic particles annually through drinking water alone, with secondary microplastics — fragments shed by larger plastic items — being the primary source of contamination.

2024 Results in Engineering 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing exposure of the Australian population to microplastics through bottled water consumption

Researchers analyzed 16 brands of bottled water sold in Australia and found microplastics present across all samples tested. The study identified polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene particles, with concentrations varying between brands and water sources. The findings provide the first assessment of microplastic exposure through bottled water consumption for the Australian population and raise questions about the safety of this common drinking water source.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 88 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in drinking water: a macro issue

This review examines the growing concern of microplastic contamination in drinking water sources, noting that microplastics are found not only in oceans but also in freshwater and tap water. The study highlights that beyond direct harm, microplastics can act as carriers for other contaminants, making their presence in drinking water a significant issue for human health.

2022 Water Science & Technology Water Supply 72 citations
Review Tier 2

Microplastic Contamination in Drinking Water: A Review

This review summarized current research on microplastic contamination in drinking water, covering detection methods, occurrence data, and health implications. The authors found microplastics widely present in tap and bottled water worldwide and noted that conventional treatment processes remove them incompletely, raising ongoing concerns about chronic low-level human ingestion.

2025 Journal of Health Science and Pharmacy
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in freshwaters and drinking water: Critical review and assessment of data quality

Researchers critically reviewed fifty studies on microplastics in freshwater and drinking water and found significant quality issues, including inconsistent sampling methods and inadequate contamination controls. Many studies lacked proper quality assurance, making it difficult to draw reliable conclusions about actual contamination levels. The study emphasizes that standardized methods are urgently needed before the true extent of microplastic contamination in drinking water can be assessed.

2019 Water Research 2298 citations
Article Tier 2

Presence and Quantification of Microplastic in Urban Tap Water: A Pre-Screening in Brasilia, Brazil

Researchers sampled tap water from Brasilia, Brazil and detected microplastics in all samples, with fibers as the dominant type and concentrations higher than many previous studies from other cities, highlighting the need for treatment infrastructure improvements and standardized monitoring.

2021 Sustainability 47 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic prevalence and human exposure in the bottled drinking water in the west Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, India

A study of nine bottled water brands in India found an average of about 2.9 microplastic particles per liter, mostly fibers made of polypropylene and PET plastic. Children face higher daily exposure relative to their body weight than adults, and lifetime intake estimates suggest significant cumulative exposure through bottled water alone -- underscoring the importance of understanding microplastics in drinking water sources.

2024 Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 36 citations