Characterization of Microplastics in Household Tap Water in Vietnam's Rural Areas: A Preliminary Study in the Red River Delta Region

ABSTRACT Due to the increasing usage of plastics around the world, a significant number of microplastic particles have entered the environment. Human health is negatively impacted when microplastics (MPs) are present in water systems. This study presents the initial results of a 2024 survey on the concentration of microplastics in tap water samples in households in Vietnam's rural Red River Delta. Twenty‐five tap water samples were collected from five different sampling sites; the samples were subsequently filtered, treated to remove organic matter, and analyzed for polymer identification. The results revealed an average of 6.8 microplastic particles per liter, with notable variation across samples, ranging from 2 to 16 particles per liter. The majority of fragment and fiber microplastics in the samples under observation were smaller than 200 µm. The polymer hazard index of the detected polymers indicates that the average polymer risk level in the tap water samples is 44.8, corresponding to pollution level III (high). These findings demonstrate the presence of microplastics in tap water, highlighting potential environmental and public health concerns. To mitigate these risks, drinking water treatment plants should implement techniques such as chemical coagulation, electrocoagulation, and membrane filtration. Future studies with larger sampling scales and more comprehensive analyses are needed to better assess and remove microplastics from tap water.