Evaluation of Microplastic Contamination in Canadian Drinking Waters

加拿大饮用水中微塑料污染的评估

• 批准号: RTI-2021-00724
• 负责人: Andrews, Robert
• 金额: $ 10.93万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=717808
• 关键词: Evaluation; Microplastic; Contamination; Canadian; Drinking

Research conducted by the Drinking Water Research Group at the University of Toronto has observed microplastics to be ubiquitous in drinking water sources and treated drinking water. The extent of microplastic contamination and their treatability is, however, poorly understood, dictating that research be conducted for water systems across Canada. The requested automated Raman Spectrometer - Confocal Raman Microscope will allow for quantification and characterization of particles as small as 2 µm. This instrument will be used to evaluate the presence and composition of microplastics present in sources of drinking water across Canada. In addition, treatability associated with a range of conventional and advanced processes will be examined which will provide foundational information that will greatly assist in the evaluation of potential health impacts of microplastics as vectors of transmission of sorbed chemical and biological contaminants. Microplastics range in size from 1 to 5,000 µm and may comprise a variety of shapes (e.g. fibers, films, fragments, etc.) and polymer types (e.g. PP, PET, PVC, etc.). They have been observed in both drinking water sources (e.g. lakes, rivers) and treated water. The removal of microplastics by conventional and advanced drinking water treatments is poorly understood, and subsequently the potential health impacts associated with consumption have not yet been well examined. Furthermore, microplastics may serve as vectors of chemical and biological contaminants, potentially resulting in sorbed organic compounds that exceed background levels in lakes and rivers. The proposed research will utilize the requested equipment to better understand the extent and occurrence of microplastic contamination in drinking water sources; their removal by conventional and advanced treatment; and ultimately the potential health implications associated with their ingestions via tap water. This instrument will allow for automated sizing and classification of specific polymer types, allowing research and increased productivity. This instrument is required to facilitate research which is vital to help ensure that Canadian drinking water consumers are protected from potential risks associated with microplastic contamination; to give water providers the information they need to improve the removal of microplastics; and to provide regulators with data necessary to implement both monitoring and treatment requirements. Without the requested instrument, the proposed research will be significantly impacted and prevent an increased understanding of microplastics in drinking water from being achieved.

多伦多大学饮用水研究小组进行的研究发现，微塑料在饮用水源和饮用水中普遍存在，但人们对微塑料污染的程度及其可处理性知之甚少，因此需要对水进行研究。所需的自动化拉曼光谱仪 - 共焦拉曼显微镜将能够对小至 2 µm 的颗粒进行定量和表征。此外，还将检查与一系列传统和先进工艺相关的微塑料的可处理性，这将提供基础信息，极大地有助于评估微塑料作为吸附传播载体的潜在健康影响。化学和生物污染物。 微塑料的尺寸范围为 1 至 5,000 µm，可能包含各种形状（例如纤维、薄膜、碎片等）和聚合物类型（例如 PP、PET、PVC 等），在饮用水中都观察到了它们。人们对通过传统和先进的饮用水处理去除微塑料的情况知之甚少，因此与消费相关的潜在健康影响尚未得到了解。经过进一步研究，微塑料可能作为化学和生物污染物的载体，可能导致湖泊和河流中吸附的有机化合物超过背景水平。拟议的研究将利用所需的设备来更好地了解微塑料污染的程度和发生情况。饮用水源；通过常规和先进处理去除它们；以及最终与通过自来水摄入相关的潜在健康影响。该仪器将允许对特定聚合物类型进行自动测定和分类，从而进行研究并提高生产力。 需要该工具来促进研究，这对于帮助确保加拿大饮用水消费者免受与微塑料污染相关的潜在风险至关重要；为水供应商提供改善微塑料去除所需的信息，并向监管机构提供必要的数据；如果没有所需的仪器，拟议的研究将受到重大影响，并无法加深对饮用水中微塑料的了解。