Alexei Volkov
It is no secret that plastic pollution is a pressing issue, but recent studies have revealed the extent to which microplastics have infiltrated our drinking water. Whether it's from a tap or a bottle, people worldwide are consuming plastic particles with every sip. With plastic fibres found in 83% of tap water samples across the globe, it is clear that our water sources are contaminated. Bottled water is not a healthier alternative, with research suggesting that disposable plastic bottles contain even higher levels of microplastics, contributing to environmental degradation. As the implications for human health remain uncertain, urgent research is needed to understand the risks associated with the presence of microplastics in our drinking water.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Microplastic contamination in bottled water | Nearly universal |
| Microplastic contamination in tap water | 83% of samples |
| Bottled water brands with microplastic contamination | Dasani, Aquafina, Nestle |
| Average microplastic particles per liter in bottled water | 10.4 |
| Number of plastic bottles consumed per minute | 1 million |
| Countries where tap water samples were collected | More than a dozen, including the US, Uganda, Ecuador, and Indonesia |
| Possible sources of microplastics in water | The atmosphere, sewage, polyester and polyethylene terephthalate in disposable water bottles, polypropylene in bottle caps |
| Health risks of consuming microplastics | Unknown, but studies suggest they can attract bacteria and contain/absorb toxic chemicals |
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What You'll Learn
Bottled water drinkers consume more microplastics
It is no secret that microplastics are everywhere. They are in our salt, our seas, and even running out of our taps. However, studies suggest that bottled water drinkers may be drinking the most plastic of all.
A 2018 study by Orb Media estimated that, on average, a liter of bottled water from big brands like Dasani, Aquafina, and Nestle contains roughly 10.4 plastic particles. Another study, published in 2019, found microplastics in 90% of the 250 water bottles sourced from 11 brands in nine different countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) also suggests that bottled water is a major source of trash.
In contrast, tap water may have lower levels of microplastics. The 2018 Orb study found that tap water had lower concentrations of plastic particles than bottled water. A separate small study in the Republic of Ireland also found microplastic contamination in a handful of tap water and well samples. While tap water is not immune to microplastic pollution, it is important to note that the levels are typically lower than those found in bottled water.
The high levels of microplastics in bottled water can be attributed to the use of single-use plastics and the breakdown of plastic bottles over time. The potential health effects of consuming microplastics are still being studied, but they have been found in human blood, lungs, gut, feces, and reproductive tissues. Some research suggests that microplastics may contribute to heart disease, lung disorders, and other health problems.
To reduce exposure to microplastics, individuals can switch from bottled water to tap water, use reusable steel or glass bottles, and limit the use of single-use plastics for food storage and reheating.
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Microplastics are found in tap water globally
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that have been detected in drinking water worldwide, sparking concerns about their potential health risks. While the studies on microplastics are limited, the existing research reveals that microplastics are present in both tap and bottled water, with potentially higher concentrations in bottled water.
An investigation by Orb Media, in collaboration with researchers from the State University of New York at Fredonia, analysed water samples from more than a dozen countries. They found that 83% of the tap water samples were contaminated with plastic fibres, indicating a pervasive presence of microplastics in drinking water globally. The United States had the highest contamination rate, with 94% of samples testing positive for plastic fibres, including sites such as Congress buildings and the US Environmental Protection Agency's headquarters.
The findings highlight the ubiquitous nature of microplastic contamination in the environment. Previous research has primarily focused on plastic pollution in oceans, leading to concerns about microplastics entering the food chain through seafood. However, the detection of microplastics in tap water underscores the need to understand their sources and potential health implications. While the atmosphere is a suspected source, with fibres originating from clothing and carpets, further research is required to determine the full extent of microplastic contamination in drinking water.
Bottled water, often perceived as a healthier alternative, may not offer a microplastic-free option. The Orb Media study found that popular bottled water brands, including Dasani, Aquafina, and Nestle, contained an average of 10.4 plastic particles per litre. Additionally, a separate study found microplastic contamination in a few samples of commercial bottled water tested in the US for Orb. These findings suggest that bottled water may contribute to increased plastic consumption and environmental pollution without providing a guaranteed reduction in microplastic intake.
While the health risks associated with microplastics are not yet fully understood, they are known to contain and absorb toxic chemicals. Research on wild animals has shown that these chemicals can be released in the body, raising concerns about potential health impacts on humans. The presence of microplastics in drinking water underscores the importance of reducing plastic pollution and encouraging the consumption of treated tap water, which has shown a higher removal rate of microplastics compared to bottled water.
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Microplastics attract harmful bacteria and chemicals
Microplastics are present in the water we drink, whether it is bottled water or tap water. A 2018 study by Orb Media found that, on average, a litre of bottled water from big brands contains roughly 10.4 plastic particles. This is about twice the level of contamination found in tap water. However, it is important to note that microplastics are also present in tap water across the world, with 83% of samples found to be polluted.
The presence of microplastics in our drinking water is a concern because they can attract harmful bacteria and chemicals. Studies have shown that microplastics can attract bacteria found in sewage, with higher levels of harmful pathogens present on microplastics downstream of wastewater treatment plants. In addition, microplastics can contain and absorb toxic chemicals, such as heavy metals and hydrophobic organic chemicals. These chemicals can be released into the body, as shown in research on wild animals.
The health effects of microplastics are still being studied, and the full extent of their impact on human health is not yet known. However, studies in cell cultures, marine wildlife, and animal models indicate that microplastics can cause oxidative damage, DNA damage, and changes in gene activity, which are known risk factors for cancer development. Microplastics have also been linked to reproductive issues, with studies in mice showing reduced sperm count and quality, ovarian scarring, and metabolic disorders in offspring.
Furthermore, microplastics can affect the intestinal microbiome, leading to an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria, which can result in gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. The shape, size, and surface charge of microplastics also play a role in their potential toxicity, with randomly shaped fragments causing more harmful physical effects and smaller particles being able to infiltrate cells more easily.
While the health risks associated with microplastics in drinking water may not be fully understood yet, the fact that they attract harmful bacteria and chemicals is a cause for concern. More research and regulation are needed to fully comprehend the impact of microplastics on human health and to develop strategies to reduce their presence in our drinking water.
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Microplastics are in our food and water supply
Microplastics are also present in our food. A study found that microplastics are present in seafood, terrestrial meat, and plant-based proteins, as well as milk, fruits, vegetables, sugar, salt, and honey. This is due to the widespread use of plastic in the environment, including plastic packaging and plastic mulch used in agriculture. The processing and cooking of food can also introduce microplastics. For example, plastic can be transferred to food through the use of heated plastic utensils or non-stick pans.
The prevalence of microplastics in our food and water supply is a growing concern. While the health risks are not yet fully understood, it is clear that human exposure to microplastics is significant. Further research is needed to determine the potential health impacts and to develop methods for reducing microplastic contamination in our food and water supply.
The sources of microplastics in our water supply include the breakdown of larger plastics, such as plastic bottles and caps, as well as the shedding of microfibers from clothing and carpets. Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove all microplastic particles, and even if they are removed during treatment, they can remain in the sewage sludge used as fertilizer on agricultural fields.
The size of microplastic particles is also a concern. Smaller and fiber-type particles are often regarded as more dangerous than larger and fragment-type particles as they can cross barriers in digestive systems. The maximum allowable intake rate of fibers is suspected to be much lower than that of spheres and fragments. However, more research is needed to fully understand the health risks associated with the consumption of microplastics.
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The health risks of microplastics are unknown
Microplastics are everywhere. They are in our salt, our seafood, our honey, our beer, our tea, and our drinking water. A 2018 study by Orb Media found that, on average, a litre of bottled water from big brands contains roughly 10.4 plastic particles. Another study by Orb Media, in partnership with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, found that 83% of tap water samples from more than a dozen nations were contaminated with plastic fibres.
There are several known ways in which humans are exposed to microplastics. These include oral intake, inhalation, and skin contact. People are often exposed to microplastics in multiple ways simultaneously. The movement of microplastics increases the risk of human exposure.
There is some evidence to suggest that microplastics can cause harm to the human body. For example, studies have shown that microplastics can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, as well as reproductive and developmental toxicity. In addition, epidemiological evidence suggests that a variety of chronic diseases may be related to microplastics exposure.
However, there are still key scientific issues that need to be explored. For example, the analytical means used in studies can only detect microplastics at the micron level, making it difficult to analyse microplastics smaller than this (nanoplastics) that may have greater potential harm. Further research is needed to determine the health risks of microplastics and to fill the gaps in toxicity research.
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Frequently asked questions
While the health risks of consuming microplastics are not yet fully understood, studies have shown that they can attract bacteria found in sewage and contain toxic chemicals, which are released in the body.
A 2018 Orb Media study found that a litre of bottled water from big brands can contain roughly 10.4 plastic particles. Another study by Orb Media and the State University of New York found that more than 90% of 250 water bottles from 11 brands in nine countries had an average of 10.4 microplastic particles per litre.
Yes, microplastic contamination has been found in tap water in countries around the world. An investigation by Orb Media found that 83% of tap water samples from more than a dozen nations were contaminated with plastic fibres.
While it may be impossible to completely avoid consuming microplastics, you can reduce your intake by using a well-managed water supply instead of drinking bottled water, which often contains more plastic particles.
