Microplastic-environmental and drinking water problem

Date of publication 3 August 2020

Authors Mrowiec, Bozena.

Sources Desalination and Water Treatment : 186, 65–71.

DOILink https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2020.25327

Abstract

The problem of water pollution by plastic waste is particularly visible in the seas and oceans. However, surface inland waters are characterized by a significant amount of plastic particles <5 mm, so-called microplastics (MPs). This review presents the essential role of urbanized areas as a source of these contaminants entering into water environment and the characteristic of microplastic contaminants. The consequence of environmental contamination by plastics is the presence of microplastic particles in potable water. Microplastic pollutants have been found in tap water from surface and underground water intakes, as well as in bottled water. Concentrations of microplastic particles in drinking water presented by researches are very different, but in many cases are very high. The varied results of the microplastics in drinking water can be the result of the different analytical methods used in the investigations. Due to this fact, the development of reference analytical methods for the determination of plastic contaminants in the water is an important issue.

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