Plastic particles in tap water 1 opinion

Tests show that billions of people worldwide consume drinking water which in 83% of the samples taken are contaminated with plastic particles or mplastics. We live on a plastic planet. What does it mean for our health? The average number of fibres found in each 500 ml sample ranged from 4.8 in the US to 1.9 in Europe. A water filter microplastic at home is much needed! Especially since new research on nanoplastics sets off alarm bells in 2023.

Source: The Guardian Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Microplastic contamination - mplastics - has been found in tap water in countries around the world. This is leading to calls from scientists for urgent research into the health implications.

In summary, scores of tap water samples from more than a dozen countries were analysed. Conducted by scientists commissioned by Orb Media. This company shared their findings with the Guardian. In total, 83% of the samples were contaminated with plastic fibres.

Analysis and impact on health

We live on a plastic planet. What does it mean for our health? In summary, new studies show that tiny plastic fibres are everywhere, and what's more, not only in our oceans but also on land. Now we urgently need to find out how they enter our food, air and tap water and what the effects are on all of us. Through a water filter microplastic, we can make tap water safe.

First, the US has the highest contamination rate of 94% among the samples. Plastic fibres in tap water were found in the Congress building, the US Environmental Protection Agency headquarters and Trump Tower in New York. Both the countries Lebanon and also India both had high rates.

In second place, some European countries, including the UK, Germany and France have the lowest infection rate. Still, this was 72%. In summary, the average number of mplastics particles found in each 500 ml sample ranged from 4.8 in the US to 1.9 in Europe.

The new analyses point to the comprehensive scale of microplastic pollution. Previous scientific research has largely focused on plastic pollution in the oceans. This suggested that people only eat microplastics through contaminated fish and marine shellfish. This is therefore incorrect.

Research plastic particles in Ireland

A study in the Republic of Ireland also shows micro-plastic contamination in tap water samples. This study from June 2017 has the following recommendation:

We do not know what the health impact is and that is why we need to start researching as a precautionary measure. The very small nanoparticles can enter a cell and that means they can invade organs and that would worry me. This says Dr Anne Marie Mahon at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.

Orb analyses only examine particles larger than 2.5 microns. This is 2,500 times larger than a nanometre. So the contamination could be much worse.

Microplastics are also known for toxic chemicals because research on wild animals shows that they are released into the body. Prof Richard Thompson of Plymouth University: "It appears that plastic chemicals pass through the intestines" His research shows that microplastics have been found in a third of the fish caught in the UK. For humans, is a water filter microplastic at home necessary?

Research mplastic in Germany

The extent of global microplastic contamination is only beginning to become clear. With studies in Germany finding fibres in all 24 brands of beer they tested. As well as in jars of honey and packs of sugar.

Research plastic particles in France

In Paris in 2015, researchers discovered microplastic which fell from the sky. They estimate that three to 10 tonnes of fibres fall on the city every year after which the pollution also enters homes.

Research mplastics in England

This research prompted Frank Kelly, professor of environmental fitness at King's College London, to tell a UK parliamentary enquiry in 2016. Once we inhale the particles, they enter the lower part of our lungs and perhaps even our bloodstream.

Global research on microplastics

After seeing the Orb data, Kelly told the Guardian that research is urgently needed to determine whether ingesting plastic particles is a health risk.

First, this new study tested 159 samples using a standard technique to eliminate contamination from other sources. The study was conducted by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Second, the samples came from all over the world, including Uganda, Ecuador and Indonesia.

From sea to plate: how plastic got into our fish

It is well known how microplastics or mplastics for short end up in our drinking water. And moreover how they spread the atmosphere as well. Plastic particles are shed by the daily wear and tear of clothes and carpets. Dryers are another potential source, with nearly 80% of US households having drying machines which discharge air through the outside air.

Plastic fibres via atmosphere in water

"We really feel that the lakes could be contaminated by cumulative atmospheric inputs. What we observed in Paris indicates that a huge amount of fibres are present the atmosphere," said Johnny Gasperi. He is with the University Paris-Est Créteil, which did the Paris studies. "

Current standard water treatment systems do not filter out all microplastics. Mahon said, " You cannot say that these 100% are captured".

Bottled water is not a microplastic-free alternative to tap water. As plastic particles were also found in a number of brands of commercially bottled mineral water in the US. These were also tested by Orb.

Mahon said the new tap water analyses raise a red flag for our environment and possibly our health. More research is needed to replicate the results. And moreover, to find the sources of contamination and evaluate the possible health effects.

Take matters into your own hands

A Buy water filter of 100 euros is no longer adequate. Buy a Alpha Water Ionizer with an Ultra Fine water filter for plastic particles also called microplastics or mplastics.