Drinking Water Contamination by Microplastics in India: Comparative Analysis, Risk Assessment, and Global Implications

ABSTRACT The contamination of drinking water with microplastics (MPs) has become an increasingly important environmental and public health issue across the globe. The present study analyses the occurrence, characteristics and human‐health risk potential of MPs in Indian tap water (TW) and bottled water (BW) using bibliometry‐based systematic review, compiled from various primary literatures published earlier and associated health‐risk assessment. Concentrations of MPs in BW ranged from 0.67 to 10,000 MPs/L, with noncommercially bottled brands containing an average of 212 ± 100 MPs/L and commercially recognized brands contained between 0.67 ± 0.58 and 4.67 ± 3.06 MPs/L. In contrast, TW samples showed lower MP concentrations that varied from 4.3 to60MPs/L. Morphological analysis showed that the most frequent types found were those that were fiber and fragment in shape and dark blue, black, and transparent. Polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polypropylene (PP) were the most frequently observed polymer types, mainly found in plastic containers, bottle caps, packaging materials, and industrial wastes. Health risk assessment results showed that children consume between 0.041 and 0.291 MPs/kg/day and adults take in 0.019–0.133 MPs/kg/day from bottled water only by ingestion, respectively. In the long term, MPs can pose risks of potential toxicity such as endocrine disruptor effects, bioaccumulation and cytotoxicity. These results stress the importance of implementing regulations, developing novel filtration techniques and raising public awareness to reduce MP contamination in drinking water. Additional studies should be done to elucidate the long‐term effects of MP ingestion and to develop effective methods of decreasing them in water distribution systems. Enhancing waste management regulations and encouraging alternative options can lead to a substantial decrease in the occurrence of MPs in drinking water.