Abundance, characteristics, and potential human intake of microplastic contamination in tap water: A study of water supply treatment plants in Rayong Province, Thailand
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Microplastics in drinking water pose global health concerns. This study investigated their occurrence, distribution, and potential human intake in water supply treatment plants in Rayong Province, Thailand. The fate of microplastics in the water supply system, from the source to household taps, was investigated. Microplastics were detected in all treatment plants, with concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 18.15 items/L in raw water and 0.51 to 11.20 items/L in treated water. Removal efficiency varied from 33.13 % to 63.12 %, influenced by particle size, shape, and polymer density. Fragments and fibers, particularly particles <250 μm, were most prevalent. The primary polymers identified were polyester (PEST), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polypropylene (PP). Notably, epoxy resin, polyacrylamide (PAM), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) were found in treated but not raw water, suggesting secondary contamination. Microplastic concentrations in household tap water were lower than in treated water, reducing exposure risk. Estimated daily intake (EDI) analysis indicated that infants had the highest exposure (0.355 items/kg BW/day), followed by adults (0.184–0.201 items/kg BW/day) and children (0.108 items/kg BW/day). These findings highlight widespread microplastic contamination, potential health risks, and the urgent need for enhanced treatment technologies and further research into long-term effects.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Water Process Engineering aims to publish refereed, high-quality research papers with significant novelty and impact in all areas of the engineering of water and wastewater processing . Papers on advanced and novel treatment processes and technologies are particularly welcome. The Journal considers papers in areas such as nanotechnology and biotechnology applications in water, novel oxidation and separation processes, membrane processes (except those for desalination) , catalytic processes for the removal of water contaminants, sustainable processes, water reuse and recycling, water use and wastewater minimization, integrated/hybrid technology, process modeling of water treatment and novel treatment processes. Submissions on the subject of adsorbents, including standard measurements of adsorption kinetics and equilibrium will only be considered if there is a genuine case for novelty and contribution, for example highly novel, sustainable adsorbents and their use: papers on activated carbon-type materials derived from natural matter, or surfactant-modified clays and related minerals, would not fulfil this criterion. The Journal particularly welcomes contributions involving environmentally, economically and socially sustainable technology for water treatment, including those which are energy-efficient, with minimal or no chemical consumption, and capable of water recycling and reuse that minimizes the direct disposal of wastewater to the aquatic environment. Papers that describe novel ideas for solving issues related to water quality and availability are also welcome, as are those that show the transfer of techniques from other disciplines. The Journal will consider papers dealing with processes for various water matrices including drinking water (except desalination), domestic, urban and industrial wastewaters, in addition to their residues. It is expected that the journal will be of particular relevance to chemical and process engineers working in the field. The Journal welcomes Full Text papers, Short Communications, State-of-the-Art Reviews and Letters to Editors and Case Studies
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