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Microplastic contamination of drinking water: A systematic review
Evangelos Danopoulos1, Maureen Twiddy1, Jeanette M Rotchell2
1Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom.
Plos One
|August 1, 2020
Summary
Microplastic contamination is widespread in drinking water, with bottled water showing higher levels than tap water. This systematic review highlights potential high human exposure to microplastics (MPs) through daily water consumption.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive environmental contaminants.
- Drinking water is a significant pathway for human exposure to MPs.
- Understanding MP levels in drinking water is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing literature on MP contamination in drinking water.
- To estimate human exposure levels to MPs via drinking water consumption.
- To assess the quality of evidence regarding MP contamination in water.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases.
- Inclusion of 12 studies meeting specific criteria for MP analysis.
- Application of a bespoke risk of bias assessment tool for study quality evaluation.
Main Results:
- All reviewed studies confirmed MP contamination in both tap water (TW) and bottled water (BW).
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) were the most frequently identified polymers.
- Estimated maximum yearly human uptake could reach 458,000 MPs from TW and 3,569,000 MPs from BW.
Conclusions:
- This is the first systematic review to quantify MP exposure from drinking water.
- The precautionary principle is recommended due to potential health concerns.
- Standardization of experimental protocols is essential for future research and data comparability.
