Exclusive: Tests show billions of people globally are drinking water contaminated by plastic particles, with 83% of samples found to be polluted

Microplastic contamination has been found in tap water in countries around the world, leading to calls from scientists for urgent research on the implications for health.

Scores of tap water samples from more than a dozen nations were analysed by scientists for an investigation by Orb Media, who shared the findings with the Guardian. Overall, 83% of the samples were contaminated with plastic fibres.

BWT, Europe's leading water technology company, has given Sahara Force India a brand-new look. In the 2017 Formula 1 season their VJM10 will be competing in the colours of pink, magenta and silver, clearly signalling a long-term relationship between BWT, the Austrian-headquartered water brand, and the Formula 1 team, Sahara Force India. The new colours were seen for the first time at the opening race of the season, the Australian Grand Prix, in Melbourne.

A check on the quality of tap water in Ho Chi Minh City by the Ministry of Health showed that the content of chlorine, widely used to purify water as a disinfectant and bleaching agent, fails to meet required standards.

Chlorine concentration was found exceeding the maximum level in areas near the reservoirs of Saigon Water Supply Corporation (SAWACO) and being below the minimum rate in other areas far from the lakes, according to the results of the check.