Strengthening of existing water treatment procedures to respond to the presence of microplastics in the drinking water

RamBihariLal Shrivastava, Saurabh; Saurabh Shrivastava, Prateek

doi:10.4103/ijehe.ijehe_6_19

Strengthening of existing water treatment procedures to respond to the presence of microplastics in the drinking water

Document Type : Brief communication

Authors

Saurabh RamBihariLal Shrivastava ¹

Prateek Saurabh Shrivastava ²

¹ Vice-Principal Curriculum, Member of the Medical Education Unit and Institute Research Council, Department of Community Medicine, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth – Deemed to be University, Ammapettai, Nellikuppam, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India

² Department of Community Medicine, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth – Deemed to be University, Ammapettai, Nellikuppam, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India

10.4103/ijehe.ijehe_6_19

Abstract

Sustaining optimal health and well-being requires the contribution of multiple sectors and the role of environment sector is indispensable to the attainment of the same. Different types of hazards have been attributed to microplastics, based on the extent and route of exposure. There is an indispensable need to optimize the existing waste-water and drinking-water treatment systems, as this can significantly minimize the concentration of these harmful substances. In conclusion, humans have been exposed to microplastics through a wide range of sources. Acknowledging the fact that plastics in themselves are potential threats for climate deterioration and health hazards, it is high time that adequate focus should be given towards their reduction in production and optimal treatment to eventually minimize the health risks.

Keywords

Drinking water

health

microplastics