Exposure to Nano- and Microplastic Contamination in Treated Water in Mahasarakham Province

Nano- and microplastic particles (NMPs) in drinking water have raised concern about health risks. The objectives of this study were to measure the abundance and characteristics of NMPs in household tap water, vending machine water, bottled water, and ice, and to assess exposure of NMPs via the consumption of water types. We analyzed NMPs using the SEM-EDS and micro-Raman imaging microscope. The study found that NMPs were most common in ice (86 ± 24.7 particles/L), followed by vending machine water (78 ± 20.4 particles/L), household tap water (65 ± 11.2 particles/L), and bottled water (32 ± 10.1 particles/L), respectively. The particles of 125–300 μm were the predominant size in all water types except for bottled water, where 0.02–45 μm was the predominant size. Fragments were the dominant shape in all water types. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the predominant polymer type in all water types except for ice samples, where polypropylene (PP) was the predominant polymer type. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Estimated Annual Intake (EAI) were the highest values via ice consumption (2.96–6.32 particles/kg/day for EDI and 1079.22–2305.48 particles/kg/year for EAI). The EDI and EAI of children were higher than those of adolescents and adults. Female children had higher EDI and EAI than their male counterparts. Male adolescents and adults exhibited higher EDI and EAI compared to their female counterparts. This discovery revealed NMP contamination in various water types and health risks, particularly in ice.