In recent years, microplastics have been consistently detected in various types of drinking water sources and end-use water samples, and their environmental distribution has gradually drawn attention. Due to their small particle size, complex sources and relative stability in the environment, drinking water is now considered one of the primary routes of human exposure to microplastics. Compared to other exposure pathways, ingestion via drinking water typically involves chronic exposure, low doses and is often imperceptible. Once microplastics enter the body,they first come into contact with the digestive system. Their transport, retention and excretion within the gastrointestinal tract may be closely related to subsequent physiological responses. Based on this, this article reviewed the sources, forms and exposure characteristics of microplastics in drinking water, with a particular focued on their mechanisms of action within the digestive system, including their effects on intestinal mucosal barrier function, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress and the gut microbiome. Concurrently, by integrating existing experimental studies and limited population data, this paper provided a comprehensive analysis of the potential health impacts on vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, the elderly and patients with chronic intestinal diseases. While most current evidence stems from in vitro and animal studies, with direct evidence at the population level remaining relatively limited, the findings demonstrated a degree of consistency regarding underlying mechanisms. The aforementioned analysis may serve as a reference for further assessment of the health risks associated with microplastics in drinking water.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |