Review of the Potential Effects and Remediation Strategies of Microplastic Pollutants in Drinking Water Sources

Abstract

In a world where plastics have become an integral part of daily life, the ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) is hardly surprising. However, the emergence of MPs in one of humanity’s most vital resources—groundwater—is concerning. This review explores the widespread reports of MPs in drinking water, examining their origins and the potential effects of their associated pollutants on human health. The exploration was facilitated through an exhaustive analysis of research contributions across the topic. Instances of MPs infiltrating drinking water have been documented across 42 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Iceland, Nepal, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The identification of the sources of these MPs is crucial, and this review clarifies several significant contributors. The sources encompass atmospheric contamination, the packaging and distribution processes associated with bottled water, effluents generated from laundry activities, fertilizers, and the domestic/industrial wastewater streams. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the role of MP particles as carriers, facilitating the transportation of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and emergent contaminants into drinking water. While scientific evidence to definitively establish the impacts of MPs on human health remains an evolving field, it is paramount to recognize that their associated pollutants have tangible effects that warrant attention. Among the potential effects highlighted are anemia, brain cancer, hypertension, intestinal bleeding, methemoglobinemia, and liver cancer. Addressing the pressing need for actionable measures, this review offers practical strategies to counter the presence of existing MPs in drinking water and mitigate their further proliferation. The insights and recommendations presented herein are anticipated to provide valuable contributions toward the resolution of the menace posed by MP contamination in drinking water, as well as the broader challenge of plastic pollution at large.

Keywords:

• Bottled water
• ecosystem damage
• groundwater
• human impacts
• hydrosphere
• public health
• single-use plastic products (SUPs)

Disclosure statement

There are no competing interests regarding this work.