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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Occurrence and identification of microplastics in tap water from China
ClearPresence of microplastics in drinking water from freshwater sources: the investigation in Changsha, China
Researchers measured microplastic abundance at multiple stages of a drinking water supply chain in Changsha, China — from source freshwater through treatment to household taps — finding that water treatment reduced MP concentrations by more than 85% but tap water still contained an average of 344 particles per liter.
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.
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.
Occurrence and Removal Efficiency of Microplastics in Four Drinking Water Treatment Plants in Zhengzhou, China
Researchers sampled four drinking water treatment plants in Zhengzhou, China, and found microplastics in raw water (13–25 particles per litre) with only partial removal — fibers and fragments dominated, and the treatment process actually shifted polymer composition, with PET becoming the most prevalent type in finished drinking water. The study is significant because it demonstrates that standard treatment cannot fully eliminate microplastics from tap water, meaning that people are regularly consuming microplastics from treated municipal supplies.
Occurrence, Characteristics, and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Tap Water and Bottled Water, China
This systematic review found microplastic contamination in both tap water and bottled water across China, with bottled water showing especially high levels — up to nearly 9,000 particles per liter for the smallest sizes. Fibers and fragments were the most common forms, and packaging degradation was a major contributor in bottled water. The findings raise practical concerns about microplastic exposure from the water we drink every day.
Tracking Microplastics Contamination in Drinking Water Supply Chain in Haikou, China: From Source to Household Taps
Researchers tracked microplastic contamination throughout the entire drinking water supply chain in Haikou, China, from source water to household taps. They found that while water treatment reduced some microplastic content, treated water actually showed higher concentrations than raw water, suggesting contamination during the treatment process itself. The study provides a health risk assessment indicating that microplastic exposure through tap water warrants continued monitoring.
Tracing microplastics in rural drinking water in Chongqing, China: Their presence and pathways from source to tap
Researchers traced the journey of microplastics through a rural drinking water system in Chongqing, China, from reservoir to tap. They found that the water treatment plant successfully removed all microplastics from the water, but contamination increased again during pipe transport to homes, resulting in about 1.4 particles per liter at the tap. The study reveals that aging distribution pipes are a significant and often overlooked source of microplastic exposure in drinking water.
Microplastic pollution of drinking water in a metropolis
Researchers analyzed 100 drinking water samples from various sources across Istanbul and found microplastics in every sample, with concentrations ranging from 10 to 390 particles per liter. Eight different polymer types were identified, including polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC, in both fiber and fragment forms. The findings indicate that drinking water in major metropolitan areas is a consistent pathway for human microplastic exposure.
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.
Identification of microplastics in conventional drinking water treatment plants in Tehran, Iran
Researchers identified microplastics in three conventional drinking water treatment plants in Tehran, Iran, finding that standard treatment processes do not fully eliminate particles down to 1 micron in size, raising concerns about microplastic exposure through tap water.
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.
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.
Occurrence, sampling, identification and characterization of microplastics in tap water: A systematic review and meta-analysis
This meta-analysis of 43 studies found that tap water contains an average of 57 microplastic particles per liter globally, with polyethylene, PET, and polypropylene as the most common polymers in fiber and fragment form. The lack of standardized sampling and analysis protocols has led to widely inconsistent results across studies, making reliable comparisons difficult.
Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Microplastics in Tap Water Supply Network in Iran
Researchers analyzed tap water samples from the drinking water distribution system in Isfahan, Iran, and found microplastics present in all samples tested. The most common types were fibers made of polyethylene and polypropylene, with concentrations varying across different points in the distribution network. The study estimates human microplastic exposure from tap water consumption in the region and highlights the need for improved water treatment to address this emerging contaminant.
Microplastics throughout a tap water supply network
Researchers evaluated microplastic presence throughout a large tap water distribution network, detecting microplastics at multiple points from treatment plant to consumer taps and finding that concentrations increased along the distribution system, suggesting the pipe network itself as a contamination source.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.