Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Identification and Quantification of Nanoplastics in Surface Water and Groundwater by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a method combining ultrafiltration and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify and quantify nanoplastics in surface water and groundwater. The study successfully detected six types of plastic polymers at the nanoscale in environmental water samples, providing much-needed quantitative data on nanoplastic pollution in real-world water sources.

2022 Environmental Science & Technology 210 citations
Article Tier 2

Polymers of micro- and nanoplastics in household tap water of Barcelona

Researchers quantified micro- and nanoplastic polymers in the 0.7-20 micrometer size range in household tap water from the public drinking water network of Barcelona, Spain, using a novel workflow designed to capture smaller particle sizes than most previous studies. The cross-sectional study found microplastics present in drinking water at concentrations relevant to human daily exposure assessment.

2022 ISEE Conference Abstracts 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Separation and identification of nanoplastics in tap water

Researchers developed a method to separate and identify nanoplastics in tap water, detecting particles as small as 58 nanometers made of common plastics like polyethylene, polystyrene, and PVC. They found nanoplastic concentrations of roughly 1.7 to 2.1 micrograms per liter in tap water samples. The study provides the first feasible approach for measuring these extremely tiny plastic particles in drinking water, highlighting a potential health concern for consumers.

2021 Environmental Research 138 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic and nanoplastic concentration in tap water in the US

This study quantified microplastic and nanoplastic concentrations in US tap water, finding widespread contamination across sampled locations and providing estimates of daily human ingestion through drinking water consumption.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Routine method for the analysis of microplastics in natural and drinking water by pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Researchers developed a standardized method to measure microplastics in drinking water using a technique called pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. They tested the method on river water, reclaimed water, and tap water in Barcelona, finding microplastic concentrations ranging from 11 to 77 micrograms per liter. Reliable detection methods like this are essential for understanding how much microplastic people are actually consuming through their drinking water.

2024 Journal of Chromatography A 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic and nanoplastic concentration in tap water in the US

Researchers analyzed microplastic and nanoplastic concentrations in tap water samples across the United States, detecting particles in the majority of samples and characterizing their size distribution, polymer type, and geographic variation.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Global prevalence of microplastics in tap water systems: Abundance, characteristics, drivers and knowledge gaps

A global analysis of tap water from 34 countries found that microplastics were present in 87% of over 1,100 samples tested, with particles smaller than 50 micrometers being the most common. When researchers looked for particles as small as 1 micrometer, concentrations were more than 20 times higher than studies that only counted larger particles. This means that most people worldwide are regularly drinking microplastics in their tap water, and the true extent of exposure has likely been underestimated.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Simultaneous determination of six microplastics in drinking water by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Scientists developed an analytical method using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry that can simultaneously detect and quantify six common types of microplastic in drinking water — including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, PET, PMMA, and PVC — with high sensitivity across a wide concentration range. Having a reliable, multi-polymer detection method is essential for monitoring drinking water safety and setting evidence-based regulatory limits.

2026 Analytical Methods
Article Tier 2

A straightforward Py-GC/MS methodology for quantification of microplastics in tap water

Researchers developed a simpler, more affordable method for detecting and measuring microplastics in tap water using pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry without needing expensive custom databases. The method successfully identified seven common polymer types in drinking water samples, making it easier for labs to monitor microplastic contamination in the water supply.

2025 MethodsX 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and nanoplastics contamination in raw and treated water

Researchers analyzed 189 samples of raw, tap, and bottled drinking water for micro- and nanoplastic contamination. They found plastic particles in every sample tested, with raw water sources containing the highest concentrations and treated tap water containing the lowest, though contamination was never fully eliminated. The study suggests that current water treatment processes reduce but do not completely remove plastic particles from drinking water.

2023 Water Science & Technology Water Supply 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Polymers of micro(nano) plastic in household tap water of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area

Researchers developed a workflow using toluene extraction and advanced polymer chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry to identify and quantify micro and nanoplastic polymers between 0.7 and 20 micrometers in tap water. Applying the method to samples from 42 postal codes in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area detected polyethylene, polypropylene, polyisoprene, and polybutadiene in drinking water.

2022 Water Research 67 citations
Article Tier 2

Latent Polyester Nanoplastics in Water Environments

Researchers developed a new method to measure polyester nanoplastics in water and found that actual concentrations are much higher than previously reported. Using dialysis and ultrasonication to break up aggregated particles, they detected average PET nanoplastic concentrations of 7.02 micrograms per liter in freshwater lakes, revealing that most nanoplastics in natural water exist as aggregates rather than individual dispersed particles.

2025 Environmental Science & Technology 5 citations
Article Tier 2

An optimized multi-technique based analytical platform for identification, characterization and quantification of nanoplastics in water

Researchers developed an analytical platform combining flow fractionation, light scattering, and pyrolysis-GC/MS to simultaneously identify polymer type, measure particle size distribution, and quantify nanoplastics in water samples down to 0.01 ppm, filling a key gap in nanoplastic monitoring tools.

2024 Talanta 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Protein Corona-Mediated Extraction for Quantitative Analysis of Nanoplastics in Environmental Waters by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Scientists developed a new method for detecting and measuring nanoplastics in environmental water samples using a protein-based extraction technique paired with specialized mass spectrometry. The approach works by adding a protein that naturally coats nanoplastic particles, which can then be separated from the water and analyzed. Using this method, researchers detected nanoplastics in both river water and wastewater treatment plant samples, demonstrating a practical tool for monitoring these tiny but potentially harmful contaminants.

2021 Analytical Chemistry 103 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

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
Systematic Review Tier 1

Microplastics in drinking water: A review on methods, occurrence, sources, and potential risks assessment

This systematic review found that microplastics are widespread in drinking water worldwide, with most particles smaller than 10 micrometers and composed of polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. Standardized sampling and analysis methods are urgently needed, as large variations in reported concentrations make it difficult to accurately assess health risks from drinking water exposure.

2024 Environmental Pollution 50 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification of Microplastics in Drinking Water Using Pyrolysis-GC/MS

Researchers used pyrolysis-GC/MS to identify and quantify microplastics by polymer mass (rather than particle count) in drinking water samples. The method detected multiple polymer types and provided mass-based metrics that are more toxicologically relevant than particle counts commonly reported in water quality studies.

2025 TSpace
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and identification of microplastics in tap water from China

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.

2020 Chemosphere 416 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantitative Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics (≥300 nm) in Human Urine Using Double-Shot Py-GC/MS with Internal Standard Calibration

Researchers analyzed urine samples from 18 volunteers and detected micro- and nanoplastics in every single sample, with concentrations averaging about 0.27 micrograms per milliliter. Low-density polyethylene was the most abundant polymer found, making up roughly 68% of the total, and the type of drinking water people consumed appeared to influence their exposure levels. The study provides new quantitative evidence that microplastics are present inside the human body and can be measured through non-invasive urine testing.

2025 Toxics 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Enrichment of Nanoplastics in Waters Using Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction With Magnetic Biochar Adsorbents and Their Determination by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a method combining magnetic biochar with pyrolysis gas chromatography to detect and measure nanoplastics in water at very low concentrations. The magnetic biochar efficiently captured polystyrene nanoplastics from both tap and river water, achieving detection limits below 1 microgram per liter. The approach offers a practical and sensitive tool for monitoring nanoplastic contamination in drinking water sources.

2024 Journal of Separation Science 6 citations
Review Tier 2

A review on the detection of micro and nano plastics in drinking water

This review covered detection methodologies for micro- and nanoplastics in drinking water, including both tap and bottled water sources. The authors synthesized current analytical approaches and highlighted the need for standardized methods across studies.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Review Tier 2

A review on the detection of micro and nano plastics in drinking water

This review assessed detection methods for micro- and nanoplastics in drinking water, covering both tap and bottled water where these contaminants have been widely documented. The authors evaluated current analytical techniques and identified gaps in standardized monitoring approaches.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Application of GCMS-pyrolysis to estimate the levels of microplastics in a drinking water supply system

Researchers developed a filtering device to test for microplastics at different stages of a Norwegian city's drinking water supply and found plastic particles present throughout the system. Raw water sources contained the highest levels, but water treatment processes reduced microplastic concentrations by 43% to 100% depending on the polymer type. Polyethylene, polyamide, and polyester were the most commonly detected plastics, highlighting that drinking water is a measurable route of human microplastic exposure.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 121 citations