Microplastic prevalence and human exposure in the bottled drinking water in the west Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread, minute plastic particles present in various aquatic environments, raising concerns about their effect on human health and ecosystems. The detrimental effects of MPs on the environment, include the contamination of ecosystems, harm to aquatic life through ingestion, potential disruption of food chains, and long-term ecological consequences. Despite numerous studies confirming the MP's presence in aquatic environments, research specifically focused on MPs in bottled drinking water (BDW) is limited. Research on MPs in drinking water is vital to assess potential health risks and develop strategies for ensuring water safety and quality. This study fills a research gap by investigating microplastics (MPs) in nine brands of BDW in the West Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, India. The average MP concentration in BDW was found to be 2.89 ± 0.48 items/L, with fibers being the predominant shape and sizes ranging from 500 to 1000 μm. Transparent and blue were the most common colors. From ATR-FTIR analysis, the dominant polymer found was polypropylene (PP) followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The human risk assessment was also calculated using the formula of Estimated daily intake (EDI) and Lifetime intake (LTI). The calculation found that the EDI of MPs for children and adults ranged from 0.041 to 0.291 MPs per kilogram per day and 0.019 to 0.133 MPs per kilogram per day, respectively. The mean LTI of MP consumption of an individual, ranged from 17,958 to 2,54,861 MPs, considering an average age of 75 years. The current findings offer valuable information for ongoing evaluations of the potential human risks linked to MP exposure.