Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in boiled water from different electric kettles & water filter machines available from Malaysia

YUSNIZAM, HUSNA (2022) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in boiled water from different electric kettles & water filter machines available from Malaysia. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text FPSK4 2022 29.pdf Download (3MB)

Abstract

Introduction: In Malaysian households, people normally own electric kettles and water filter machines to boil water before drinking. However, the occurrence of microplastics in boiled water that might be sourced from these appliances has become a serious concern since the boiled water from electric kettles and water filter machines are used as drinking water as well. Objectives: This study aims to provide an understanding of microplastics in boiled water from different electric kettles and water filter machines as well as its suitability as drinking water. Methodology: Water samples were collected from nine electric kettles and five water filter machines and extracted using membrane filtration. Microscope was used to identify microplastics’ colour, size, shape, and polymer types. FTIR spectroscopy was used to identify the polymer types of the microplastics. One-way ANOVA statistical analysis was used to compare microplastics occurrence in different groups of electric kettles and water filter machines. Results and Discussion: Microplastics’ size in electric kettles and water filter machines were ranged between 55.036 μm to 1795.833 μm and 55.036 μm to 1795.833 μm respectively. Samples from plastic electric kettles (850.743 μm) and water filter machine K (751.564 μm) had the longest microplastics particles might be due to boiled water exposed more to plastic surfaces. Transparent microplastics dominated electric kettles (plastic electric kettles: 71.25%) and water filter machines (Water filter machine J: 76.67%) samples. The fragment was the major shape in electric kettles (glass electric kettles: 61.54%) and water filter machines (Water filter machine N: 76.56%) samples. The type of polymer found in the samples was polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), polycarbonate (PC), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). One-way ANOVA statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the size of microplastics particles in boiled water from different types of electric kettles and water filter machines’ brands. This indicates that types of electric kettles and water filter machines’ brands were considered not to influence the size of microplastics instead it might be influenced by the materials of the plastics themselves. Conclusion: Abundance of microplastics particles were detected in different electric kettles and water filter machines available in Malaysia which made the boiled water from these appliances considered not suitable to be used as drinking water Keywords: Microplastics, Electric Kettles, Water Filter Machines

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Mr Hafizzuddin Hamidon
Date Deposited:	24 Aug 2023 04:35
Last Modified:	24 Aug 2023 04:35
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1157

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