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Occurrence of Microplastics in Tap and Bottled Water: Current Knowledge

Author

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  • Isabella Gambino

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Francesco Bagordo

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Tiziana Grassi

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Alessandra Panico

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Antonella De Donno

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

Abstract

A narrative review was carried out to describe the current knowledge related to the occurrence of MPs in drinking water. The reviewed studies ( n = 21) showed the presence of microplastics (MPs) in tap (TW) and bottled (BW) water, increasing concerns for public health due to the possible toxicity associated with their polymeric composition, additives, and other compounds or microorganism adsorbed on their surface. The MP concentration increase by decreasing particles size and was higher in BW than in TW. Among BW, reusable PET and glass bottles showed a higher MP contamination than other packages. The lower MP abundance in TW than in natural sources indicates a high removal rate of MPs in drinking water treatment plants. This evidence should encourage the consumers to drink TW instead of BW, in order to limit their exposure to MPS and produce less plastic waste. The high variability in the results makes it difficult to compare the findings of different studies and build up a general hypothesis on human health risk. A globally shared protocol is needed to harmonize results also in view of the monitoring plans for the emerging contaminants, including MPs, introduced by the new European regulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabella Gambino & Francesco Bagordo & Tiziana Grassi & Alessandra Panico & Antonella De Donno, 2022. "Occurrence of Microplastics in Tap and Bottled Water: Current Knowledge," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5283-:d:802864
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Claudia Campanale & Carmine Massarelli & Ilaria Savino & Vito Locaputo & Vito Felice Uricchio, 2020. "A Detailed Review Study on Potential Effects of Microplastics and Additives of Concern on Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-26, February.
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    3. Laurent Lebreton & Anthony Andrady, 2019. "Future scenarios of global plastic waste generation and disposal," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Cheryl Qian Ying Yong & Suresh Valiyaveettil & Bor Luen Tang, 2020. "Toxicity of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Mammalian Systems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-24, February.
    5. Milene F. Diaz-Basantes & Juan A. Conesa & Andres Fullana, 2020. "Microplastics in Honey, Beer, Milk and Refreshments in Ecuador as Emerging Contaminants," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-17, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuet-Tung Tse & Sidney Man-Ngai Chan & Eric Tung-Po Sze, 2022. "Quantitative Assessment of Full Size Microplastics in Bottled and Tap Water Samples in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Zuzanna Prus & Małgorzata Wilk, 2024. "Microplastics in Sewage Sludge: Worldwide Presence in Biosolids, Environmental Impact, Identification Methods and Possible Routes of Degradation, Including the Hydrothermal Carbonization Process," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-26, August.

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