Rising Microplastic Contamination in Drinking Water Threatens Public Health

Recent research published in the Interdisciplinary Environmental Review has revealed alarming levels of microplastic contamination in drinking water sources in Southern India, highlighting a growing environmental crisis with significant implications for human health.

Researchers from Loyola College in Chennai conducted an extensive analysis of tap and tank water in Chennai, particularly in regions adjacent to the heavily polluted Cooum River and Great Salt Lake. The findings indicate the pervasive presence of microplastic particles in nearly all water samples examined.

Microplastics, defined as plastic fragments smaller than 5 millimeters, are primarily formed through the degradation of larger plastic debris due to environmental factors such as sunlight, water, and mechanical wear. Their widespread distribution across ecosystems, from the Arctic to the ocean depths, raises serious environmental concerns. However, their detection in drinking water poses a critical threat to public health.

This investigation marks the first of its kind in Southern India and coincides with heightened global scrutiny over the escalating production of plastics. In 1970, global plastic production was approximately 30 million tons, a figure that soared to 380 million tons by 2020, with projections indicating it could reach 600 million tons annually by 2050.

The surge in plastic consumption globally has outpaced waste management capabilities, particularly in fast-growing urban areas, leading to increased plastic waste infiltrating both natural and built environments.

The implications of microplastics in drinking water extend beyond mere presence. These particles have the potential to serve as carriers for hazardous substances, including persistent organic pollutants that may have carcinogenic or endocrine-disrupting properties. Additionally, microplastics can harbor pathogenic microorganisms or transport toxic heavy metals.

When ingested, these contaminants can release harmful substances within the human body, potentially resulting in detrimental health effects. Studies have already detected microplastics in human blood, placental tissue, and lung samples, indicating that microplastic exposure is becoming a significant aspect of contemporary human health challenges.

The urgent need for effective detection methods, as demonstrated in this study, is paramount to understanding the full extent of microplastic contamination and to developing strategies for mitigation.

For further reading, refer to the study by I. Ronald Win Roy et al., titled Identifying microplastic contamination in drinking water: analysis and evaluation using spectroscopic methods, published in the Interdisciplinary Environmental Review (2025).