Title : Microplastic contamination in drinking water and food: Detection, characterization and potential environmental risks
Abstract:
Microplastic contamination has emerged as a significant environmental and food-safety concern due to the widespread persistence and distribution of small plastic particles in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Drinking water and food products can serve as important pathways through which microplastics may enter the human environment. This study reviews the occurrence, sources, detection, characterization, and potential environmental risks associated with microplastic contamination in drinking water and food. Microplastics originate from the degradation of larger plastic materials as well as from domestic, industrial, agricultural, and wastewater-related activities. Their presence has been reported in various water sources and food commodities, highlighting the need for reliable monitoring and analytical approaches.
The identification and characterization of microplastics commonly involve physical separation, filtration, microscopic examination, and spectroscopic techniques such as Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. Advanced analytical methods, including scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and thermal analytical techniques, can provide additional information regarding particle morphology, composition, and associated elements. Factors such as particle size, polymer type, shape, surface characteristics, and environmental persistence influence their behaviour and potential ecological effects.The increasing detection of microplastics emphasizes the importance of standardized sampling, analytical protocols, and effective waste-management strategies.
Sustainable approaches, including plastic reduction, improved wastewater treatment, recycling, and development of environmentally friendly materials, are essential for reducing microplastic release. Continued interdisciplinary research is required to better understand their environmental fate and potential risks and to develop effective strategies for monitoring and mitigation.
Keywords: Microplastics; Drinking Water; Food Contamination; Environmental Pollution; FTIR; Raman Spectroscopy; Polymer Characterization; Ecological Risk; Sustainable Waste Management.
