Hidden Risks of Microplastics in Drinking Water
- Published:
- Updated: January 16, 2025
Summary
The presence of microplastics in drinking water is a growing concern due to potential health risks and environmental impacts. Here’s a breakdown:
- Microplastics, tiny plastic particles, enter waterways through various pathways like stormwater runoff and can be ingested by aquatic life.
- Health risks are uncertain, but concerns include inflammation, organ damage, and the potential to carry harmful chemicals.
- Microplastics in bottled water and tap water raise concerns, with some studies showing higher levels in bottled water.
But in recent years, public and scientific interest in the problem of microplastics in water has been on the rise. Microplastics are particles of plastic that measure from less than 1 micrometer to 5 millimetres in size and they’re used in everything from personal care products, artificial fibres and packaging. Though microplastics in water are relatively recent, the risks to health and the environment have already been mentioned.
Microplastics and How Do They End Up in Our Drinking Water
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, and you can find them in almost everything. They either form when larger plastics are dissolved by sunlight, water and other natural processes, or they are added deliberately to goods as microbeads or other fillers. Microplastics that get into the environment can end up in rivers, lakes and oceans, where fish and other aquatic animals can consume them. Such microplastics can then flow through the food chain and end up on our own skin.
It’s possible that microplastics end up in drinking water, too, in a range of ways. They can be carried by the wind, or they can get flushed into rivers by stormwater run-off. There are also studies that demonstrated microplastics escaping from plastic pipes and bottles during the processing and transportation of water for consumption.
Health Risks Associated with Microplastics in Drinking Water
And there’s still a lot we don’t know about the health hazards of microplastic in water. Though a few reports do hint that microplastics can inflame and damage the liver and other organs in animals, there isn’t yet any definitive proof. One is that microplastics could be used as a delivery vehicle for toxins, pesticides and other pollutants that could get into the body. And the microplastics themselves, because they are so tiny, can slip through the body’s own defences and gather in fragile tissue.
Experts now agree that microplastics in the vast majority of tap water will not encroach on human health in a radical way. It’s unclear what the long-term impact of microplastic exposure will be and we still need to do a lot more research to get a clearer picture.
Impact of Microplastics on the Environment and Wildlife
What about microplastics’ effects on the natural world and animals? Like I mentioned before, microplastics can land in rivers, lakes and oceans and be consumed by fish and other sea animals. This could lead to all sorts of ills in these animals, from lowered reproduction rates to stunted growth and development, even death.
The indirect impacts of microplastics aren’t the only ones. They can sit in the soil, and they can affect plant development and soil fertility. And they spill toxic chemicals (such as plastic additives) into the environment, which may harm other animals and ecosystems.
Regulation of Microplastics in Drinking Water
A few countries and organizations have started to do something about the rising issues with microplastics in drinking water. The World Health Organization, for instance, has just published a report demanding more studies into health effects of microplastics in water and efforts to eliminate them from the environment. New rules by the EU, as well, would restrict the percentage of microplastics permitted in consumer products, and require water providers to reduce microplastics in drinking water.
The Safe Drinking Water Act in the US mandates standards from the EPA for contaminants in drinking water, such as microplastics. There is no clear microplastics standard set by the EPA currently. Several states (like California) have started to regulate microplastics in water, but the regulations aren’t universal.
Filtering Tap Water and Bottled Water as Alternatives
Whether drinking water is filtered out of microplastics is one of the biggest questions you might hear about microplastics in water. The short answer is it is a filter matter. Some types of filters like reverse osmosis filters can filter the majority of microplastics out of water. Activated carbon filters aren’t as good either.
A glass of bottled water isn’t always better than tap water for microplastics. Indeed, in some research, bottled water can actually be more microplastic-rich than tap water. Bottled water isn’t as regulated as tap water in many regions of the world, and the plastic waste from bottled water is often questionable.
Reducing Exposure to Microplastics in Drinking Water
There is only one thing to do and that is to use a water filter that will break down microplastics (such as a reverse osmosis filter). The other is to limit the consumption of microplastic products, like microbeads-based personal care products. As a total, we can reduce the amount of microplastic that ends up in the environment.
Microplastics and the Water Treatment Process
The trouble with microplastics in drinking water is that they are hard to filter out at water treatment. Physico-chemical-biological methods are the most common techniques that water treatment facilities employ to purify water. Micro plastics are also too small to be caught by standard treatment processes.
A few technologies are being invented specifically for water microplastics. Some scientists might even look to magnetic particles to draw the microplastics out of water. Other companies are testing special polymers to pick up and filter microplastics from water.
Microplastics in Bottled Water
Bottled water doesn’t always equal better tap water, if it comes to microplastics. In fact, in some research bottled water is actually considered to be more microplastic-rich than tap water. The reason for that is probably because bottled water comes from freshwater springs or from other places that are likely to be higher risk for microplastics.
In addition to the health risks that may come with microplastics in water sold in bottled containers, there is the issue of the environmental effects of plastic waste. Water in bottles is also a big part of the global plastic pollution problem, and every day millions of plastic bottles are thrown away.
Microplastics and the Food Chain
There’s also a worry with microplastics in water, since they can damage the food supply. As we already discussed, microplastics can be swallowed by fish and other marine animals which can be eaten by us. That’s why microplastics in water can be of indirect health concern, even when microplastics in water are not contaminated enough to cause immediate harm.
For instance, in one research article, the average person who consumes a reasonable amount of seafood could be eating 11,000 microplastic particles per year. This means there should be more research on the effects of microplastics in the food chain, and ways to eliminate them from the environment.
The Role of Plastic Packaging in Microplastic Contamination
Plastic packaging is the biggest plastic polluter, but it is also the leading cause of microplastic pollution. Over time, plastic packaging decomposes, releasing microplastics into the air that can seep into our drinking water. Single-use plastics like plastic bags and straws are also the cause of the accumulating microplastics in the environment.
The plastic packaging is susceptible to microplastic contamination, but there are a few things we can do. One is to make overall plastic consumption less, and this can be done by shopping for products that come with a minimum amount of packaging, and reusable bags and containers. Other measures can be taken by governments and corporations to mitigate plastic waste and increase recycling, and establish policies that favour biodegradable and compostable material.
The Impact of Microplastics on Water Treatment Systems
Even water treatments that purify water can be affected by microplastics in the water. Microplastics clog filters and can interfere with chemical reactions that treat the water. This can be expensive for water treatment plants, as well as compromising the purity of the treated water.
You can do your part to ensure water treatment plants aren’t the targets of microplastics. This can be done by installing new technologies of filtration, that are designed to remove microplastics, and periodically testing for the presence of microplastics in the water.
The Role of Public Awareness in Reducing Microplastic Contamination
Microplastic contamination can be mitigated through public awareness and education. The better public knows about the sources and effects of microplastics, the more people can do to reduce exposure to microplastics, and advocate for stronger rules and protections for our water and the environment.
Education campaigns could be used to spread the word on the dangers of microplastics in water and on practices of recycling plastics responsibly. That might mean making it clear what kinds of products have microplastics, and making it easier for consumers to shop for non-microplastic products. Recycling and composting can also be encouraged through public education campaigns and we can inform about using reusable containers and bags.
Drinking water microplastics are a highly problematic and multifactorial problem with human health and environmental impacts. We still don’t know how long we’ll be exposed to microplastics in the long term, but we do know that the particles end up in our water, and that they can be disruptive to health and the natural world. If we do our part to help mitigate plastic pollution and push for stronger protections and laws, our water will be clean and healthy for all generations to come.Top of Form
Current Research on Microplastics in Drinking Water
We’re not quite there yet on how dangerous it might be to ingest microplastics in drinking water. Today’s microplastic research is dominated by three areas: microplastics detection and measurement in water, microplastic exposure and removal of microplastics from water.
Scientists are also finding new ways to look for and quantify microplastics in water using novel imaging and chemical methods. Such techniques are shedding light on the distribution and concentration of microplastics in water systems globally.
We are still conducting studies on the health impacts of microplastics and researchers are examining how they might affect human health as well as environment and wildlife health. This research is fundamental for the development of policy and regulations that will mitigate human health and the environment’s negative impacts from microplastics.
Researchers also develop new technologies to de-microplasticize water. Most promising is the use of magnetic particles, polymers, and even some bacteria to sequester and deactivate microplastics in water supplies.
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