Microplastics in Drinking Water
Where Do Microplastics Come from?
Because much of what we manufacture and use (along with a huge chunk of our waste) contains plastic, microplastics come from a wide variety of sources. They have been detected extensively in sea water, surface waters and drinking water (including tap water and bottled water) around the world.
Primary vs Secondary Microplastics
Primary microplastics are intentionally manufactured microplastics, used in commercial products, such as in cosmetics. They include microbeads, those tiny beads found in face washes and toothpaste, as well as nurdles, small plastic pellets used for manufacturing plastic.
Secondary microplastics are created indirectly as larger plastics break down through physical, chemical, and biological processes. These tiny pieces of plastic include stray bits of synthetic fiber from laundered clothes and particles, films, foams, and fragments from the disintegration of plastic waste.
Are Microplastics in Bottled Water?
Most likely. While not every bottled water brand has been tested, research shows that concentrations of microplastics in water bottles made of plastic are higher than in tap water.
How Do You Remove Microplastics from Your Drinking Water?
Current studies show that microplastics can be removed from your drinking water through membrane filtration.
NSF/ANSI certification 401 requires a filter to reduce microplastics of about ≥ 0.5 µm to < 1 µm in size by at least 85 % when operated. However, many filters are actually more efficient. This means there are already off-the-shelf systems for home tap water treatment that can provide adequate protection from microplastics.
When selecting a water filtration technology, you should ensure the filter’s packaging says it is certified under NSF/ANSI standard 401 for the removal of microplastics. Look for the NSF/ANSI seal, or one from WQA or IAPMO. You can also check the filter pore size. Pore sizes of 2.5 µm or less should filter microplastics from your tap water effectively, although it’s worth mentioning there is no one-size-fits-all, best water filter for microplastics.
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