Microplastics in Water: A Closer Look

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that may be found in food, air and drinking water, including both tap and bottled water. Although researchers are still studying specific impacts on human health, there are already methods for treating microplastics in your water at home — notably, reverse osmosis (RO) filtration.

Before you choose a filtration system, it’s important to understand how microplastic pollution works and why other treatment solutions may not be effective. Here’s a closer look at microplastics in water.

Microplastics Explained

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that can be as small as 1 micron, which is 1/1,000 of a millimeter. Even at their largest, these particles are only 5 millimeters — about the size of a pencil eraser.

Microplastics may be categorized based on their origins. If the particles were intentionally manufactured to be small, they’re considered primary microplastics. An example is plastic microbeads used in some health and beauty products. If the particles break down from larger plastic debris, such as single-use water bottles or food wrappers, they’re called secondary microplastics.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), weathering processes and animal digestion can degrade microplastics into even smaller particles called nanoplastics. These nanoplastics are smaller than 1 micron. For reference, a single human hair is about 70 microns wide.

Microplastics move through the environment and into drinking water in numerous ways. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), surface runoff and wastewater effluent are considered the two main sources based on currently available data. Other sources include plastic waste degradation, atmospheric deposition and even opening and closing single-use plastic water bottles.

Microplastics in Water: The Latest Research

Why don’t experts know more about microplastics? Numerous factors complicate this research. For example, there are currently no standardized methods for detecting, measuring or classifying microplastics. The small size of these particles also makes them difficult to study. Similarly, microplastics can be made of different materials or material combinations — each with its own characteristics, impacts and interactions with the environment and living things.

However, the latest research illuminates what experts know and what they still need to study:

Microplastic Presence

According to research published in “Nutrients,” microplastics can be found in air, food and a variety of water sources, including lakes, rivers and seas. A research review published in the “Journal of Global Health” adds that studies have found microplastics in human cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory and reproductive systems, among others.

Microplastic Amounts

Research published in “Science of the Total Environment” found that microplastics are present in many tap water samples. Bottled water also shows signs of microplastic contamination: A Columbia University study supported by the National Institutes of Health found that a single liter of bottled water (about 0.3 gallons) included around 240,000 microplastic particles. This is up to 100 times more than earlier studies identified.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, a Penn State study also confirmed that microplastic concentrations in freshwater sources increase with plastic production. However, the study found no correlation between microplastic levels and population density or land use.

Impact on Human Health

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the presence of microplastics in food is not enough to indicate risk or violate safety regulations. The FDA also notes that current scientific evidence hasn’t demonstrated a human health risk based on the levels of microplastics in foods.

However, research into the relationship between microplastics and health is ongoing. For example, a recent study published in “The New England Journal of Medicine” found a potential connection between microplastic/nanoplastic exposure and a risk of myocardial infarction, stroke or death; the study acknowledges limitations and notes that the findings don’t prove causality.

Microplastics themselves are not the only concern. According to a feature published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, these tiny particles can also potentially act as vehicles for toxic chemicals and bacterial pathogens, possibly posing risks for tissues and cells.

Environmental Impact

Experts are still learning exactly how microplastic contamination impacts the natural environment. However, this kind of pollution has already been shown to affect a variety of species, including those that live under the surface — like earthworms, which play an important role in soil health and food production capabilities. Additionally, microplastic particles can damage animals’ digestive tracts, impair feeding abilities and impact predator avoidance, potentially affecting entire species and ecosystems.

How To Treat Your Water for Microplastics

Experts need more research to understand whether there are potential health risks from the level of microplastics you’re likely to encounter in your daily diet. However, if you want to reduce your exposure to microplastic particles, your drinking water is a good place to begin.

Start by limiting or eliminating your use of single-use plastic water bottles. This isn’t just to avoid potential microplastic exposure; it’s to help prevent more bottles from becoming microplastics in the future.

Next, ensure that your tap water offers a reliable, practical and safer alternative. This means taking active steps to protect your water quality from microplastics and other potential drinking water problems — and in most cases, that means choosing a water treatment solution.

But where do you begin? Many people turn to single-use water bottles because they seem quick and easy, so it makes sense to look for solutions that make tap water just as convenient. However, many filtration systems are only equipped to treat aesthetic contaminants that affect taste and smell, leaving microplastics untouched. This means for the highest quality solution, you should consider a filtration system that:

1. Filters a virtually limitless supply of drinking water on demand.

2. Treats a variety of water problems including microplastics.

3. Uses a filtration method (or methods) shown to effectively address microplastics.

Fortunately, reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water filtration systems fulfill these requirements and more. This solution helps ensure you get better, cleaner water right from the tap. With multiple filtration stages and processes, reverse osmosis systems can address a wide range of potential contaminants, including microplastics and forever chemicals.

Beyond that, it’s important to look for certifications of efficacy. Culligan’s advanced RO filtration systems are third-party certified to reduce microplastics by 99.6%.

Your Water Treatment Checklist

To ensure your whole family can turn to tap water they can trust, follow this checklist:

1. Learn: Stay informed about microplastics research and other water topics. Especially as microplastics in water is a quickly-evolving topic, this will help you be more aware of your own water quality and potential issues.

2. Test: To understand potential water quality issues beyond microplastics, a professional water test is the best way to get specific, reliable information about your home’s tap water, whether it’s from a municipal source or a private well. Your local expert can also recommend the best solutions for your home, budget and needs.

3. Filter: Choose the filtration system that fits your requirements. Don’t forget to look into smart features that enable control and visibility right from your phone.

4. Enjoy: RO filtration provides a virtually limitless supply of high-quality drinking water. If you notice new water problems or old issues returning, check in with your local expert for advice and next steps.

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Stay Informed About Water Quality Questions

Microplastics may be a growing concern, but they may not be the only water problem you may have to contend with. Instead of worrying about one at a time, get a professional water test and rest assured that you have all the answers and recommendations you need.

Get started by scheduling your free, in-home water test and consultation.

*Contaminants may not be present in your water.