Indicators of Microplastic Poisoning in the Catchment of Nyumba-ya-Mungu Water Reservoir - Tanzania

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a significant global issue, primarily due to the potential adverse health effects associated with the entry of microplastics into the human body, mainly by ingestion and inhalation. This study explored the relationship between microplastic pollution at Nyumba-ya-Mungu water reservoir (NWR) in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania and public health issues in the catchment area. The study employed a cross-sectional study design that combined questionnaire, document analysis, microscopy, and spectroscopy methods for data collection. A total of 401 community respondents from the study area, 19 medical doctors in 4 hospitals from the catchment, 22 fish samples, and 30 surface water samples (each sampled in triplet) from NWR. The study’s findings indicate that some risky practices and behaviors can directly affect human health due to microplastic pollution, including plastic burning (76.6%), serving hot foods in plastic containers (87.5%), and drink polluted water (71.5%) and eat fish (93.5%) in the study area. Fish and water samples contained MP with a mean concentration of 2.80 ± 3.13679 MP fish^-1 and 2.30 ± 2.55231 MP L^-1, respectively. Various health issues in the catchment area of NWR can be associated with microplastic pollution, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, intestinal, reproductive, and respiratory diseases. The co-existence of the risky practices and the implied health issues suggests an associative relationship. The study recommends creating public awareness on proper plastic handling and management and support research studies that focus on public health issues.