Abstract
BackgroundMicroplastics (MPs) are omnipresent in the environment, including the human food chain; a likely important contributor to human exposure is drinking water.ObjectiveTo undertake a systematic review of MP contamination of drinking water and estimate quantitative exposures.MethodsThe protocol for the systematic review employed has been published in PROSPERO (PROSPERO 2019, Registration number: CRD42019145290). MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched from launch to the 3rd of June 2020, selecting studies that used procedural blank samples and a validated method for particle composition analysis. Studies were reviewed within a narrative analysis. A bespoke risk of bias (RoB) assessment tool was used.Results12 studies were included in the review: six of tap water (TW) and six of bottled water (BW). Meta-analysis was not appropriate due to high statistical heterogeneity (I2>95%). Seven studies were rated low RoB and all confirmed MP contamination of drinking water. The most common polymers identified in samples were polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP), Methodological variability was observed throughout the experimental protocols. For example, the minimum size of particles extracted and analysed, which varied from 1 to 100 μm, was seen to be critical in the data reported. The maximum reported MP contamination was 628 MPs/L for TW and 4889 MPs/L for BW, detected in European samples. Based on typical consumption data, this may be extrapolated to a maximum yearly human adult uptake of 458,000 MPs for TW and 3,569,000 MPs for BW.ConclusionsThis is the first systematic review that appraises the quality of existing evidence on MP contamination of drinking water and estimates human exposures. The precautionary principle should be adopted to address concerns on possible human health effects from consumption of MPs. Future research should aim to standardise experimental protocols to aid comparison and elevate quality.
Highlights
Microplastics (MPs) are particles of predominantly synthetic polymeric composition in the micro scale [1, 2], and while a consensus on size range has not been reached, the typical range is between 1 μm and 5 mm
12 studies were included in the review: six of tap water (TW) and six of bottled water (BW)
The most common polymers identified in samples were polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP), Methodological variability was observed throughout the experimental protocols
Summary
Microplastics (MPs) are omnipresent in the environment, including the human food chain; a likely important contributor to human exposure is drinking water. Data Availability Statement: All relevant data are within the manuscript and its Supporting Information files. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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