Microplastics in drinking-water

Overview:

Studies reporting the presence of microplastics in treated tap and bottled water have raised questions and concerns about the impact that microplastics in drinking-water might have on human health.

This report critically examines the evidence related to the occurrence of microplastics in the water cycle (including both tap and bottled drinking-water and its sources), the potential health impacts from microplastic exposure and the removal of microplastics during wastewater and drinking-water treatment.

Recommendations are made with respect to monitoring and management of microplastics and plastics in the environment, and to better assess human health risks and inform appropriate management actions, a number of key knowledge gaps are identified.

• Alternative Source 1

Official

WHO: Information sheet: Microplastics in drinking-water https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/water-quality/guidelines/microplastics-in-dw-information-sheet/en/

WHO: Newsroom, 22/08/2019: WHO calls for more research into microplastics and a crackdown on plastic pollution https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/22-08-2019-who-calls-for-more-research-into-microplastics-and-a-crackdown-on-plastic-pollution

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News

Deutsche Welle, 14/03/2018: Bottled water not safe from microplastic contamination https://p.dw.com/p/2u9g6

Belfast Telegraph, 15/03/2018: World health chiefs launch probe after microplastics found in bottled water https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/world-health-chiefs-launch-probe-after-microplastics-found-in-bottled-water-36708074.html

The Telegraph, 15/03/2018: Plastic found in most bottled water, triggering World Health Organisation review https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/14/plastic-now-pervasive-finding-way-bottled-water-investigation/

The Guardian, 15/03/2018: WHO launches health review after microplastics found in 90% of bottled water https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/15/microplastics-found-in-more-than-90-of-bottled-water-study-says

BBC News, 15/03/2018: Plastic: WHO launches health review https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43389031

The Guardian, 22/08/2019: Microplastics in water: no proof yet they are harmful, says WHO https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/22/microplastics-in-water-not-harmful-to-humans-says-who-report

BBC News, 22/08/2019: Microplastics in water pose ‘no apparent health risk’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-49430038

EurActiv, 03/09/2019: WHO says microplastics in water not a health risk, more research needed https://www.euractiv.com/section/health-consumers/news/who-says-microplastics-in-water-not-a-health-risk-more-research-needed/

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