Microplastic pollution of drinking water in a metropolis

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify microplastics (MPs) in drinking water from various sources in Is. tanbul that are known to pose potential health risks. A total of 100 drinking water samples were analyzed. Samples were filtered with a glass filter (phi: 1.0 mu m). After filtration, microscopy was used, followed by SEM-EDS and ATR-FTIR identification to characterize MPs. Two shapes (fibers and fragments) and eight polymer types of MPs (ethylene propylene, neoprene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and vinyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymer) with sizes of 12-4,892 mu m (548+ 777 mu m) were detected. These MP abundances ranged from 10 to 390 MP L-1 (134+ 93 MP L-1). In the identification of MPs detected in filters by FTIR spectroscopy, bisphenol A, which is used in the production of various plastics and described as an important public health problem, was detected in 9.74% of MPs. Within the scope of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNEP has a specific objective of ensuring access to safe, affordable drinking water (SDG 6). With a clear statement, it should be emphasized that MPs are a significant barrier to the provision of safe drinking water and a comprehensive plan for overcoming this barrier should be developed.