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Human Health Effects of Microplastics in Drinking Water: A Review

https://doi.org/10.35627/2219-5238/2021-29-9-40-43

Abstract

Introduction: Polymer products have become inexpensive, convenient and widely used in all spheres of everyday life recently. Microplastics are found in seawater, wastewater, fresh water, foodstuffs, and air. Over the past few years, the presence of microplastics in treated tap and bottled water has been reported, raising questions and concerns about their potential human health effects.

Objective: To summarize and systematize the results of studying health effects of exposure to microplastics in potable water.

Materials and methods: A literature review was done based on ten topical articles and reviews published in 2014–2021 out of 64 sources found in the PubMed and Scopus international databases and the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI).

Results and conclusions: Generalization and systematization of the published research data demonstrated the lack of strong evidence to draw conclusions about human health effects of microplastics. Information on toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of ingested microplastic particles is absent just like the studies of the most common shapes and sizes of plastic particles and health risks from exposure to such particles in drinking water.

About the Author

P. A. Ganichev
Northwest Public Health Research Center
Russian Federation

Pavel А. Ganichev, Junior Researcher, Subdivision for Hygiene of Drinking Water Supply, Department of Public Health Risk
Analysis 

4 2nd Sovetskaya Street, Saint Petersburg, 191036, Russian Federation



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Review

For citations:


Ganichev P.A. Human Health Effects of Microplastics in Drinking Water: A Review. Public Health and Life Environment – PH&LE. 2021;29(9):40-43. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.35627/2219-5238/2021-29-9-40-43

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ISSN 2219-5238 (Print)
ISSN 2619-0788 (Online)