Microplastics in drinking water: a macro issue

Abstract

Microplastics are one of the emerging contaminants that have received attention in recent decades due to their adverse effects on human health and the environment. Though microplastics are primarily found in abundance in oceans, freshwater sources and drinking water are not unaffected. Nevertheless, it is not only the microplastics that are harmful; rather their ability to transport contaminants is another serious issue of concern. The contaminant transport ability is affected by various environmental and physico-chemical parameters of microplastics. Lack of effective and targeted water treatment technologies have led intake of microplastics by humans resulting in a variety of health issues. Even though a few regulatory attempts have been made in the direction of curtailing the production and use of microplastics, there is still a long way to go. This paper focuses on various aspects of microplastics’ presence in drinking water, focusing on their contaminant transport ability, human health risks, removal technologies, and the global scenario of concern. HIGHLIGHTS Global production of plastics has increased from 1.5 million tons in 1950 to 359 million tons in 2018.; Microplastics act as the carrier of a variety of organic/inorganic contaminants and pathogens in drinking water.; Contaminant transport ability is influenced by environmental and physico-chemical properties of microplastics.; Microplastics in drinking water might trigger a variety of adverse health impacts.;

Keywords

• drinking water
• emerging contaminants
• environmental factors
• human health
• microplastic(s)