Microplastics (MPs) are plastic pieces smaller than five millimeters that can harm aquatic life. They can enter drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) via various processes, including fragmentation of larger plastics, use of cosmetics, and industrial discharges. Studies show MPs exist in both tap water (TW) and bottled water (BW), with higher concentrations in BW. Due to possible toxicity associated with their polymeric composition and substances attached to their surface, MPs are an emerging public health concern. However, a global protocol is needed to harmonize results and build a hypothesis on human health risk, as high variability throughout studies complicates the comparison of findings. DWTPs are proven to be highly effective at removing particles with similar characteristics to MPs and at higher concentrations. DWTPs with advanced treatment can remove even smaller particles; for example, nanofiltration and ultrafiltration can achieve 87.3 percent to >99.9 percent removal of MPs. A 2018 study found MPs in 93 percent of BW samples from different brands and countries, with an average of 325 MP particles per liter. However, more recent studies on different US BW brands found densities as high as 10^5 MP particles per liter. This session will help participants recognize MPs as a contaminant of emerging concern and emphasize the need for a global protocol for water suppliers and regulators to prioritize removing MPs and other contaminants from TW. “After this session, participants will be better able to:
• Recognize microplastics as a contaminant of growing concern impacting ecosystems and human health.
• Acknowledge the need for a global protocol on microplastics to better understand human health risks.
• Explore the capabilities of advanced treatment systems in optimized drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) for effectively removing microplastics, ensuring safer drinking water for communities.”
Contributor/Source
Viraj deSilva-Engineer VIII
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