Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Assessment of Risk Perception on Microplastics Pollution in Drinking Water Sources

Researchers surveyed higher education students to assess their risk perception of microplastic pollution in drinking water sources and measured relationships between perception, concern, and behavioral intention to reduce plastic use. The study aimed to identify knowledge gaps and inform awareness campaigns targeting informed plastic reduction behavior among young adults.

2022 IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic in Food and Water: Current Knowledge and Awareness of Consumers

This study surveyed 410 highly educated young consumers and found that while awareness of microplastics in food and water is growing, significant knowledge gaps remain about contamination sources, exposure levels, and associated health risks.

2022 Nutrients 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Perception of water pollution among Malaysian university students: A case study

This Malaysian university survey found that students had moderate awareness of water pollution but limited understanding of its causes and consequences. Better environmental education about water pollution sources — including microplastics — is needed to build the informed citizenry required for effective pollution prevention.

2023 Sustainable Social Development 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Water and Food: [Not]Awareness

A survey of internet users assessing awareness of microplastic contamination in food and water found that most respondents were aware of microplastics in urban water sources but had limited knowledge of specific exposure levels and health risks.

2024 Bulletin of Science and Practice 1 citations
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

First evidence of microplastics in bottled water sold in Mexico

Researchers provided the first evidence of microplastic contamination in bottled water sold in Mexico, analyzing ten widely consumed commercial brands. They detected an average of 39.3 particles per liter, with most particles smaller than 500 micrometers, and PET and polypropylene were the dominant polymers, indicating that fragmentation of the bottles and caps is the primary contamination source. The study found that children are the most vulnerable population segment, with the highest relative microplastic intake normalized by body weight.

2026
Article Tier 2

Microplastic: Unveiling the Stealthy Polluters in Our Water

This review covers microplastic contamination in water sources, documenting sources, environmental pathways, analytical detection methods, and potential human health risks from drinking water containing plastic particles, along with emerging mitigation strategies.

2025 Personalia Pelajar
Article Tier 2

The Effect of Environmental Values on German Primary School Students’ Knowledge on Water Supply

This German education study examined how environmental values affect primary school children's knowledge about water supply and conservation. While focused on environmental education rather than microplastics directly, building environmental literacy in children is important for long-term behavior change to reduce plastic pollution.

2021 Water 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics (mps) in Drinking Water: Uses, Sources and Transport

This paper reviews the sources, transport pathways, and health hazards of microplastic particles in drinking water, noting that MPs enter freshwater systems through wastewater effluent, stormwater runoff, degraded plastic waste, atmospheric deposition, and industrial discharge. The study provides accessible background on analytical detection methods and underscores that microplastics in tap and bottled water represent a direct, daily human exposure route.

2023 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Ubiquity of Microplastics in Drinking Water: An Update on Its Assessment and Impact

This review documents the widespread presence of microplastics in drinking water worldwide — including both tap and bottled water — and examines the potential health impacts of ingesting these particles. Current evidence shows microplastics are present in essentially all drinking water supplies at levels that cause concern, though the long-term health effects remain under investigation. The review calls for improved water treatment and reduced plastic use as parallel strategies to address the problem.

2021 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

The Detection and Analysis of Microplastics in a Typical Mountainous Drinking Water System in China

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in a mountainous drinking water system in rural China and found that microplastic concentrations increased along the pipeline length, with simple filtration facilities failing to effectively remove most particles. Polyethylene, polyurethane, and PET were the dominant polymers, with most particles smaller than 100 micrometers. The estimated daily intake was highest for infants, highlighting the particular vulnerability of young children in remote communities with limited water treatment infrastructure.

2024 Toxics 2 citations
Article Tier 2

The effect of environmental health education on microplastic pollution awareness

This study found that environmental health education significantly increased students' awareness of microplastic pollution. The results suggest that incorporating microplastic-related topics into school curricula could help young people understand the health and environmental risks of plastic pollution. Raising awareness early is an important step toward reducing microplastic exposure at the individual and community level.

2024 Public Health Nursing 10 citations
Review Tier 2

A Review of the Current Literature on Sources and Mitigation Strategies of Microplastics in Drinking Water

Researchers reviewed the key sources of microplastic contamination in drinking water — including plastic waste, synthetic clothing, and microbeads in personal care products — and assessed strategies for reducing exposure through improved treatment technologies and stricter regulations on plastic production. The review emphasizes that effective policy, combined with public awareness about single-use plastics, is essential for protecting drinking water quality.

2025 Proceedings of the International Conference of Recent Trends in Environmental Science and Engineering
Article Tier 2

Transport, Behavior, and Human Exposure of Microplastics in Rural Drinking Water Supply Chains

Researchers tracked microplastic distribution, transport, and human exposure risk through rural drinking water supply chains in China, finding MPs present throughout the system from source water to tap, with concentration changes at each treatment and distribution stage.

2025 Environment & Health
Article Tier 2

MPs in drinking water and beverages: Concentrations, characteristics and implications for human exposure

Researchers reviewed 10 years of studies on microplastics in drinking water, bottled water, tea, coffee, and other beverages, finding that contamination levels vary widely by region, packaging type, and how hot the liquid gets. Children face disproportionately higher exposure relative to body weight, and the review highlights a critical need for standardized testing methods to better assess health risks from daily beverage consumption.

2025 Emerging contaminants 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Tracking microplastics contamination in drinking water in Zahedan, Iran: From source to consumption taps

Researchers tracked microplastic contamination through the entire drinking water system in Zahedan, Iran, from raw water sources to household taps. While water treatment plants removed 64-75% of microplastics, tap water actually contained more microplastics than the treated water, likely due to contamination from pipes and plumbing. Children were estimated to consume more microplastics per body weight than adults, highlighting concerns about drinking water as a source of microplastic exposure.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 71 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the environment: impact on human health and future mitigation strategies

This review examines the sources and environmental pathways of microplastic contamination, the evidence for human health impacts from dietary and inhalation exposure, and emerging mitigation strategies including water treatment improvements and policy interventions.

2020 Environmental Health Review 70 citations
Article Tier 2

Tracking microplastics in a drinking water supply system proximity to industrial facilities: Occurrence, source identification, and risk assessment

Researchers comprehensively investigated microplastic occurrence, sources, and health risks in a drinking water supply system near industrial facilities, finding that a granular activated carbon filter removed 93.39% of microplastics at the treatment plant. However, microplastic abundance increased during distribution, highlighting post-treatment contamination as a critical but underappreciated exposure pathway.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials
Article Tier 2

Smaller-sized micro-plastics (MPs) contamination in single-use PET-bottled water in Thailand.

This study quantified microplastics in ten brands of single-use PET-bottled water sold in Thailand, finding an average of 140 particles per liter using fluorescent staining. The results add to global evidence that bottled water is a consistent route of human microplastic exposure and suggest that plastic packaging is a likely contamination source.

2020 The Science of the total environment
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

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

The occurrence and dietary intake related to the presence of microplastics in drinking water in Saudi Arabia

Researchers tested 30 drinking water samples from five regions in Saudi Arabia and found microplastics in more than half of them, with polyethylene being the most common type detected. The estimated daily exposure based on recommended water intake was relatively low but still measurable. The study provides baseline data on microplastic contamination in Saudi Arabian drinking water and contributes to the growing understanding of human dietary exposure to these particles.

2021 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 129 citations
Article Tier 2

The degree of awareness of the risk of microplastic particles/people’s perception in taking preventive measures for this type of risk

This study surveyed public awareness of microplastic risks and perceptions around taking protective measures, finding that knowledge levels were variable and that most people had limited understanding of exposure routes and health implications. The authors call for targeted public communication campaigns to increase risk awareness.

2024 Journal of Engineering Sciences and Innovation
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