Micro- and nanoplastics in drinking water: the review

Abstract

Plastic pollution in water is becoming increasingly alarming due to the annual increase in global plastic production. Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) have been detected in drinking water sources and tap water, raising concerns about the effectiveness of drinking water treatment plants and the public health of people who consume tap or bottled water. This article presents a systematic review of the available knowledge on the global occurrence of MNPs in drinking water sources and treated water, tap water, and/or bottled water. Data on the occurrence and properties of MNPs (polymer type, shape, and size) are presented. It then discusses the knowledge on the effectiveness of MNPs removal in various unit processes used for drinking water treatment, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, sand and membrane filtration, adsorption, advanced oxidation processes, and disinfection. Attention is also drawn to the health risks that MNPs present in drinking water may pose. Currently, there still appear to be gaps in research on MNPs removal in drinking water treatment. This article therefore discusses the potential challenges, strategies, and research needs related to the occurrence and removal of MNPs in unit processes used in drinking water production.