A Perspective on Green Solutions and Future Research Paths for Microplastic and Nanoplastic Contamination in Drinking Water

Abstract

The detection of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in drinking water sources has raised global concerns about the ability of conventional water and wastewater treatment facilities. There is health risk associated with the ingestion of plastic particles, such as particle toxicity or chemical toxicity. Therefore, improvement in the research and development (R & D) for detection and remediation techniques is critical to address the current challenge posed by the complex behavior of MPs. Understanding the transport behavior of MPs within drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) is crucial to enhance the treatment processes of drinking water supply. The prevalence, fate, and circulation of MPs in freshwater ecosystems, coupled with its potential consequences for human health and climate change, have all been widely reported in scientific literature. However, a noticeable gap exists in global research concerning the occurrence of MPs and NPs in potable water and the accompanying health risk. This viewpoint introduces an innovative perspective on the primary challenges, remediation technologies, and sustainable green strategies for addressing MPs/NPs in potable water. The proposed strategies along with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques and identified research gaps could serve as valuable resources for hydrologists, environmentalists, biotechnologists, and policymakers, prompting them to consider strategic mitigation measures to alleviate future health risks associated with MPs/NPs.