Abstract
Microplastics are an increasing environmental hazard with potential negative implications for global health. Defined as plastic 5 mm or less in size, microplastics commonly result from fragmentation of larger anthropogenic items. The presence of microplastics in residential water supplies intended for human consumption is of great concern and there has been limited research on potential drivers of microplastic contamination within a small geographic area. It is thought that distance water travels through plastic pipes, age of plumbing, and type of plumbing could influence the variability in microplastic concentrations at a municipal scale. To begin to address these questions, citizen scientists (6th graders) from Singing River Academy and Trent Lott Academy in Jackson County, MS collected tap water samples from their bathtub spout (no filter) at their residences, while documenting their address, plumbing type, age of residence, and water source (well or city). All collected samples were from city water sources. Over 200 samples were collected and analyzed for microplastic contamination. Microplastics were counted and sorted by type: fragments, films, fibers, and beads, with fibers being the most frequently identified. Nearly every sample was observed to have microplastics, with an average of 11 per liter, indicating microplastic pollution is abundant and without more extensive filtering processes or reducing plastic use will continue to grow. Other information, such as distance from water source, type of plumbing, and age of residence will be analyzed to determine potential driving factors for microplastic contamination.
