Microplastics and the Water Industry

Abstract

Key TakeawaysFound in freshwater and ocean environments, microplastics may pose hazards through chemical transfer if they are made of harmful chemicals or they can adsorb pollutants.Microplastics pollution sources include clothes washing, wastewater systems, biosolids, tire and road wear, and atmospheric particles that affect wildlife and humans.Nanofiltration and reverse osmosis should more effectively remove microplastics than microfiltration and ultrafiltration, even if the membrane barriers are also made of plastics.Analytical method progress on microplastics includes quantification (enumeration and mass concentration), size characterization, and minimum thresholds for detection (size and mass).