While the health risks are unknown, the researchers
For the survey, 159 tap water samples were analysed of which "83 percent were found to contain plastic particles," according to the report compiled by Orb Media, based on tests conducted by researchers from the University of Minnesota and the State University of New York.
While much research has focused on plastic pollution of lakes, rivers, the ocean, beaches, even the air we breathe, less attention has been paid to its presence in human consumables, the team said.
This was the first study to look at micro-plastics in drinking water, they added.
Samples were collected in the first three months of the year in Kampala, New Delhi, Jakarta, Beirut, Quito, several cities in the United States and in seven European countries.
All were sent to the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, for lab testing.
By far the majority of particles found were fibres ranging from 0.1 to five millimetres (0.004-0.2 inches) in length.
The range was from zero to 57 particles per litre of water, with an average of 4.34 particles per litre.
"The highest density of plastic per volume of tap water was found in North America and the lowest densities were found, collectively, in seven European countries," wrote the team.
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2017-09-plastic.html#jCp
