Assessing microplastic contamination in drinking water: implications for vulnerable populations in Tema, Ghana

This study identifies and assesses the levels of different types of MPs – specifically fibers, beads, fragments, and sheets/films – in drinking water at institutions, particularly hospitals and schools, in two communities in Tema, Ghana. In these communities, the primary sources of drinking water are tap water and sachet water. The samples obtained were quantified and characterized using visual microscopy, which allows for assessment based on size, shape, and color. The results indicated varying quantities of MPs present; the average number of the different types was 1.59, with fibers being the most abundant. In samples from Community 2, the number of MPs ranged from 1 to 7, while in Community 5, it ranged from 1 to 12. For tap water samples, the number of MPs ranged from 1 to 12, and for sachet water, it ranged from 1 to 7. This research found MPs in all drinking water samples collected from eight institutions across the two communities in Tema, resulting in a 100% detection rate with different MP colors. This study contributes to the growing knowledge of environmental MP pollution and its impact on human health, highlighting the need for further research and regulatory action to mitigate MP contamination in urban water systems.