Microplastics in drinking water: a macro issue

Microplastics are one of the emerging contaminants which have received attention in recent decade due to their adverse effects on human health and the environment. Though microplastics are primarily found in abundance in oceans; freshwater sources and drinking water are not unaffected. Nevertheless, it's not only the microplastics which are harmful; rather their ability to transport contaminants is another serious issue of concern. The contaminant transport ability is affected by various environmental and physico-chemical parameters of microplastics. Lack of effective and microplastics' targeted water treatment technologies lead to its intake by humans resulting in a variety of health issues. Though, a few regulatory attempts have been made in the direction of curtailing the production and use of microplastics, there is still a long way to go. This paper focuses on various aspects of microplastics' presence in drinking water, focusing on their contaminant transport ability, human health risks, removal technologies, and global scenario of concern.

Automated summary

Microplastics, as emerging contaminants, have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Their ability to transport contaminants poses serious risks to human health. Effective water treatment technologies for microplastics are currently lacking.