Evaluation of Microplastic Contamination in Canadian Drinking Waters

多伦多大学饮用水研究小组进行的研究观察到，微塑料在饮用水源和经处理的饮用水中无处不在。然而，人们对微塑料污染的程度及其可处理性知之甚少，这要求对加拿大各地的水系统进行研究。所要求的自动化拉曼光谱仪-共焦拉曼显微镜将允许对小至2 µm的微粒进行定量和表征。该仪器将用于评估加拿大各地饮用水源中微塑料的存在和组成。此外，还将研究与一系列传统和先进工艺相关的可处理性，这将提供基础信息，极大地有助于评估微塑料作为吸附化学和生物污染物传播载体的潜在健康影响。 微塑料的尺寸范围从1到5，000 µm，可以包括各种形状（例如纤维，薄膜，碎片等）。和聚合物类型（例如PP、PET、PVC等）。在饮用水源（如湖泊、河流）和处理过的水中都观察到了这些物质。人们对传统和先进的饮用水处理方法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很好的研究。此外，微塑料可能成为化学和生物污染物的载体，可能导致吸附的有机化合物超过湖泊和河流的背景水平。拟议的研究将利用所要求的设备来更好地了解饮用水源中微塑料污染的程度和发生情况;通过常规和先进的处理来去除它们;以及最终通过自来水摄入与其相关的潜在健康影响。该仪器将允许特定聚合物类型的自动化尺寸和分类，从而允许研究和提高生产率。 该文书需要促进研究，这对于帮助确保加拿大饮用水消费者免受微塑料污染的潜在风险至关重要;为供水商提供改善微塑料去除所需的信息;并为监管机构提供必要的数据，以实施监测和处理要求。如果没有所要求的仪器，拟议的研究将受到重大影响，并阻碍对饮用水中微塑料的进一步了解。

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.