Dangers of Microplastics In Our Water

What Are Microplastics and Are They a Problem?

Microplastics are widespread environmental pollutants found in oceans, rivers, lakes, soil even on remote islands and polar regions, posing a growing threat to wildlife ecosystems and human health. These tiny particles can take centuries to break down, accumulating in marine environments and entering the food chain.

Studies suggest that humans may ingest microplastics through seafood, water, and even the air, raising concerns about long-term health effects. Once released, microplastics are nearly impossible to remove, persisting in the environment for generations. [1]

What are microplastics?

Microplastics are very small plastic particles with a diameter of less than 5 mm (0.2 inches). They are found in everyday products such as cosmetics, synthetic clothing, plastic bags, and bottles. Many of them enter the environment as waste. Microplastics consist of carbon and hydrogen atoms bound together in polymer chains. Other chemicals, such as phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), are typically also present in microplastics. Many of these chemical additives leach out of the plastics after entering the environment. [2]

Type of Microplastics

Microplastics are divided into two main categories depending on their source:

· Primary microplastics – These are intentionally manufactures in small size and directly released in the environment as small particles. They are estimated to represent between 15-31% of microplastics in the oceans.

Main sources of primary microplastics include laundering of synthetic clothes (35% of primary microplastics); abrasion of tyres through driving (28%); intentionally added microplastics in personal care products, for example microbeads in facial scrubs (2%)

· Secondary microplastics– they originate from degradation of larger plastic objects, such as plastic bags, bottles or fishing nets and account for 69-81% of microplastics found in the oceans. [3]

There is a type of microplastics called nanoplastics. These are particles with a size of less than 1 micrometer (µm), making them even smaller than microplastics and impossible to be seen with the naked eye. Avoiding nanoplastics in our daily lives is almost impossible because of the extensive usage of plastic products.

What are primary microplastics used for?

Microplastics are intentionally added to a variety of products, including fertilizers, pesticides, cosmetics, detergents, cleaning products, paints, and industrial materials used in the oil and gas sector. They are also commonly found as soft infill in artificial turf sports pitches.

In consumer products, microplastics are best known for their use as abrasives, such as microbeads in exfoliating and polishing cosmetics. However, they also serve other functions, including enhancing product thickness, stability, and appearance. Microplastics can even be found in glitter and makeup.[4]

Available data suggests that up to 50% of the plastic products manufactured each year, are designed for single use only further contribute to the growing microplastic pollution crisis. It is concerning that more than 10 million tons of plastic waste enter our oceans annually, [ 5]

Where do we encounter Microplastics?

We encounter microplastics everywhere from drinking water, dust, fabrics, cosmetics, cleaning products, rain, seafood, table salt, and even commonly consumed beverages, such as beer. In fact, a new study estimates that the average adult consumes approximately 2,000 microplastics per year through salt. [6]

The attention of researchers is focused on microplastics in water for now, because they are easy to find, test and analyse.

How do microplastics affect human health?

Nano- and microplastics can enter the human body through the respiratory system via inhalation, the digestive tract via consumption of contaminated food and water, or penetration through the skin via cosmetics and clothes contact.

These compounds are linked to serious health issues such as endocrine disruption, inflammation, weight gain, insulin resistance, decreased reproductive health, and cancer. [7]

The full extent of microplastics’ impact on human health is still being studied, but minimizing exposure is becoming a growing concern.

What is microplastics’ effect on the environment?

Microplastics have a significant impact on the environment, affecting ecosystems, wildlife, and even human health. Here are some key effects:

Water Pollution – Microplastics contaminate oceans, rivers, and lakes, making their way into drinking water and aquatic ecosystems.

Harm to Marine Life – Fish, seabirds, and other marine animals ingest microplastics, leading to malnutrition, toxicity, and sometimes death.

Soil Contamination – Microplastics in agricultural land reduce soil quality and may affect plant growth.

Bioaccumulation – These tiny plastics move up the food chain as animals consume contaminated prey, eventually reaching humans.

Chemical Pollution – Microplastics can absorb harmful chemicals, introducing toxins into the environment and living organisms.

Airborne Spread – Microplastics can be carried by wind, polluting even remote areas.

What action is being taken to reduce microplastic waste?

The UK government has implemented several measures to combat plastic pollution.

Plastic microbeads are no longer used in cosmetics and personal care products in the UK The ban came into effect in January 2018.

Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) came into force in the UK on 1 April 2022 aiming to encourage the use of recycled materials and reduce plastic waste.

The government also plans to implement a Deposit Return Scheme by 2027 to encourage recycling of single-use drink containers.

Meanwhile, it is important that each individual takes actions to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment and human health.

Using EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) recommended daily water intakes, the corresponding exposures to MPs in different UK age groups were estimated. On a body weight (BW) basis, infants and toddlers were exposed (4 MP/kg BW/day) at a higher level than adults (1 MP/kg BW/day). This raises concern, given the former’s incompletely developed immune/nervous systems rendering them at higher risk of adverse health effects from such exposure. [8]

Find Out More About Our Range Of Microplastics Filters..

We acknowledge that the UK’s water supply is very good. Far better than many countries across the world.

We believe, however, that drinking water should just be pure water and nothing else.

We have a range of water treatment product that significantly remove microplastics and other impurities from your water.

References:

[1]. https://www.clientearth.org/latest/news/microplastics-what-are-they-and-why-are-they-a-problem/

[2] https://www.britannica.com/technology/microplastic

[3] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20181116STO19217/microplastics-sources-effects-and-solutions

[4]. https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/microplastics

[5] https://plasticoceans.org/the-facts/

[6] https://www.undp.org/kosovo/blog/microplastics-human-health-how-much-do-they-harm-us

[7] https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/microplastics-everywhere

[8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405665024001185