Are Microplastics Harmful To You? How To Avoid Microplastics In Water?

Microplastics are very small particles, less than 5mm in size. They come from different sources and have recently posed a serious concern as they are almost everywhere, especially in water.

Increasing rates of plastic pollution are leading to microplastics in people's food and water. This is not just an environmental problem; it also affects human health.  

In this article, we will focus on the risks of microplastics and some measures you should take, especially concerning water intake.

What Are Microplastics?      

One of the bigger environmental concerns related to microplastics is their wide distribution in water systems. 

Everything from the deepest parts of the ocean to the water we drink at home contains tiny plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters. Their presence raises many questions about their influence on the environment and human health. 

To better understand the problem, you need to know about microplastics and where they come from before they enter our water systems.

Microplastics are typically divided into two main categories based on how they originate:

• Primary microplastics:

• Secondary microplastics:

Common Sources of Microplastics

Microplastics can originate from a wide range of everyday activities and products, such as:

• Personal care products: The microplastics were found in microbeads used in face washes, scrubs, and toothpaste. While these beads are meant to slip down the drain with the water, many wastewater treatment facilities cannot fully remove them.

• Synthetic textiles: Washing synthetic garments, such as polyester, acrylic, and nylon, can produce microfibers in the water supply. These fibers are so tiny that washing machines and water treatment plants cannot trap them, so they end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans. 

• Plastic waste: Bottles, bags, and packaging materials are among the products made from plastic that break down into small particles. This process, known as photodegradation, occurs when plastics are exposed to sunlight and environmental conditions, forming secondary microplastics.

How Microplastics Enter Water Systems

Microplastics access water systems directly and indirectly, both intentionally and unintentionally. Some of the most common include: 

• Stormwater runoff: As rainwater moves across streets and pavements, it picks up tiny plastic particles from litter, vehicle tire wear, and other sources, eventually carrying them into storm drains and water bodies.

• Wastewater: Microplastics from personal care products and laundry enter the water system through household wastewater. Even though some treatment plants can filter out certain contaminants, many microplastics are small enough to pass through these systems and end up in rivers and oceans.

• Plastic waste breakdown: Due to environmental conditions, plastic debris discarded in oceans, rivers, or lakes undergoes physical breakdown, continuously releasing smaller particles into the water. This pollution can last hundreds of years, so microplastics are found in water systems.

As more microplastics infiltrate the water supply, environmental and health issues are becoming increasingly pertinent to scientific research and public awareness. 

How Do Microplastics Affect Human Health?

While microplastics remain present in the environment, attention to their impact on human quality of life is increasing. 

Still, there is more to learn regarding the effects of microplastics on human health; however, scientists have found various ways microplastics might harm the human body. 

Microplastics are already found in the water we drink and the food we eat; therefore, they have the potential to affect our health, as we have yet to fully understand them. 

Pathways of Exposure

Microplastics can enter the body through a variety of channels, and daily activities may increase exposure:

1. Ingestion: One of the most common ways microplastics enter the body is through eating and drinking. Contaminated seafood, drinking water, and even sea salt are known sources of microplastic consumption. Microplastics have been found in tap and bottled water, making this a widespread issue.

2. Inhalation: Microplastics are also present in the air, especially in urban areas with higher concentrations of plastic pollution. These airborne particles can be inhaled and may settle in the respiratory system. 

3. Dermal Exposure: While not as frequent, other researchers suggest that microplastics in cosmetic products can penetrate the skin. However, this pathway is less understood than ingestion and inhalation.

Health Risks and Scientific Findings

While more research is needed, early studies suggest that microplastic exposure could lead to several health risks:

• Gastrointestinal effects: Ingested microplastics can cause inflammation or redness of the gastrointestinal tract. Some foreign particles may interfere with general gut functions or cause cellular stress.

• Respiratory issues: By inhaling particles containing microplastics, people may become trapped in lung tissue, with probable short-term effects on the respiratory tract and inflammation, as well as long-term effects associated with lung tissue damage. 
  
  This risk is especially dangerous to the human body, especially those working in industries that expose them intimately to airborne plastic particles, such as manufacturing.

• Systemic toxicity: Microplastics may serve as carriers for harmful chemicals commonly added to plastic products. Chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates used in plastic manufacturing can act as endocrine disruptors. They interfere with hormonal functions, which could lead to reproductive issues, metabolic disorders, or increased cancer risks.

Chemical Additives and Contaminants

Many plastics feature additional chemicals to enhance their stability, elasticity, and appearance. 

These chemicals can then be released into the environment as plastic decays. Some of the major concerns include: 

• Flame retardants and stabilizers: They pose serious health concerns to consumers and have been associated with various diseases that affect the thyroid in humans, including reproductive problems in children.

• Colorants and dyes: While these may seem harmless, certain chemical dyes in plastics can be carcinogenic.

Moreover, as microplastics move through water systems, they may absorb pollutants like pesticides and heavy metals. 

These contaminants can attach to microplastic particles, increasing their toxicity when consumed by humans. 

These exposures to chemicals from plastic and other pollutants escalate the various health risks associated with microplastics.

While scientists continue to learn about these pathways and risks, more research is needed to determine how long-term exposure to microplastics may pose hazards to the human body. 

However, the available data does offer practical advice, and it is safe to avoid contacting microplastics as much as possible.

Environmental Impact of Microplastics

Microplastics are a human health risk and a significant hazard for ecosystems, especially aquatic systems. 

Its components are microplastics that have persisted in the environment for more than 200 years, disrupting wildlife and natural ecosystems.  

These minute plastic particles are found in water bodies and move through the food chain, from the bottom to the largest marine creatures, devastating ecosystems.   

These negative impacts, however, began as microplastics began to penetrate various water sources; thus, the consequences for food and biological resources are worsening, in turn worsening the overall deterioration of the environment and human health.

Impact on Marine Life and Ecosystems

Microplastics pose serious risks to marine organisms, leading to both physical and chemical harm:

• Ingestion by marine life: Fish and other marine species, such as plankton and seabirds, often mistake microplastics for food. Upon ingestion, these particles can block the gastrointestinal tract, leading to malnutrition, reduced energy levels, and, in some cases, death. In some cases, Microplastics block the digestive process in animals by hindering their ability to absorb proper nutrients from their food. 

• Toxic chemical absorption: Plastics are infamous for capturing and transferring toxic substances, including pesticides and industrial chemicals. Once marine animals swallow microplastics, these chemicals can accumulate within them, potentially causing negative effects on their health, such as reproductive organ diseases, a weakened or nonexistent immune system, and abnormal development.

• Ecosystem disruption: Microplastics are present at every level of the ocean ecosystem and can be ingested by some of the smallest and largest marine organisms, including fish, turtles, and whales. This disruption can reduce biodiversity as animals struggle to survive. It also affects the balance of marine species and could cause disasters and the collapse of some species.

Bioaccumulation in the Food Chain

One of the most concerning effects of microplastic pollution is bioaccumulation, a process in which pollutants accumulate in organisms over time.  

When marine animals consume microplastics, the toxins associated with them can accumulate in their tissues. As larger predators eat smaller animals, the concentration of microplastics and chemicals increases as you move up the food chain.

This means that humans can be exposed to higher levels of microplastics and the harmful chemicals they contain when consuming seafood, especially larger species like tuna and shellfish. 

The implications for human health are still being studied, but bioaccumulation raises concerns about the safety of seafood, which is a critical part of many people's diets.

Food Safety Concerns

As microplastics contaminate oceans, lakes, and rivers, they enter the human food supply through seafood, sea salt, and drinking water. 

These particles have been found in everything from mussels and shrimp to table salt. The potential health risks associated with consuming food contaminated by microplastics are not yet fully understood, but there are increasing calls for stricter regulations to monitor and control plastic pollution.

• Seafood contamination: Studies show that certain seafood species, especially filter-feeding organisms such as mussels and oysters, are more susceptible to microplastic contamination. The presence of microplastics in seafood raises concerns about the long-term health effects of human consumption.

• Water safety: Microplastics are present in tap and bottled water so that people may ingest them daily. Although the levels found are generally low, the cumulative exposure over time could still pose risks, especially given the potential toxicity of the chemicals associated with plastics.

Microplastics' widespread contamination of water and food underscores the need for more research, stricter safety standards, and public awareness campaigns to address the growing environmental crisis. 

Reducing plastic use and supporting policies to minimize plastic pollution are essential for safeguarding our ecosystems and health.

How to Avoid Microplastics in Water

Minimizing exposure, particularly through water consumption, is essential as microplastic pollution becomes more prevalent.

While eliminating microplastics from the environment is impossible, practical strategies can be adopted to reduce contact with them.

From choosing the right water filters to making mindful choices in everyday products, you can significantly reduce your intake of microplastics and contribute to broader environmental efforts.  

1. Use Water Filters

• Reverse osmosis filters: These filters use a semi-permeable membrane to remove contaminants, including microplastics. They are highly effective at filtering out even the smallest particles and are one of the best solutions for ensuring clean drinking water.

• Activated carbon filters: While not as comprehensive as reverse osmosis, they can still capture microplastics. These filters work by absorbing impurities, including larger plastic particles.

Berkey Water Filters provide a reliable solution for those particularly concerned about microplastics. 

Black Berkey Elements test results show that the elements can remove or reduce contaminants down to the nanometer scale, in the tested range of 24-26 nanometers. 24-26 nanometers is .024 to .026 microns, much smaller than the plastic particles in water. 

Nonetheless, since actual testing of plastic fibers has not yet been conducted, NMCL can't officially make that claim.

2. Choose Natural Fabrics

• Opt for natural fibers: Choose clothing made from cotton, wool, silk, or hemp. Compared to synthetic alternatives, these fabrics shed fewer microplastics.

• Use microfiber filters for washing: Install a washing machine filter, such as the Guppyfriend bag or Filtrol filter, to trap microfibers before they enter the water system. These tools are designed to catch tiny fibers that would otherwise wash down the sewage system and, ultimately, into the environment. 

3. Avoid Single-Use Plastics

• Use reusable items: Instead of single-use plastic, opt for reusable water bottles, bags, and food containers.

• Say no to disposable plastics: Refuse plastic straws, utensils, and packaging whenever possible, and look for eco-friendly alternatives like bamboo or stainless steel.

4. Make Mindful Seafood Choices

• Select seafood from less polluted waters: Research the origin of your seafood and opt for species from cleaner environments. Contamination levels vary by location, and seafood from heavily polluted areas is more likely to contain microplastics.

• Choose smaller fish: Because larger fish tend to accumulate more microplastics, opting for smaller species can help reduce your intake.

5. Support Environmental Efforts

• Advocate for bans on single-use plastics: Support government policies that restrict or ban the production and use of disposable plastic products.

• Encourage corporate responsibility: Push companies to adopt sustainable packaging and manufacturing processes that reduce plastic waste.

• Participate in local cleanups: Join community efforts to remove plastic waste from beaches, rivers, and parks. These actions help prevent plastic from breaking down into microplastics and entering water systems.

Are There Alternatives to Plastic?

As the consequences of plastic pollution become visible, efforts have been made to find alternatives that can replace or facilitate the use of existing plastics. 

Some of the ideas being tested involve reducing overall plastic use, if not mitigating the increased levels of microplastics. These may provide some sustainable future standards, but are not without issues.  

Knowledge of these choices and their disadvantages is necessary to minimize plastic use.

Biodegradable Plastics and Plant-Based Alternatives

Biodegradable, plant-based plastics are among the most effective solutions to the plastic problem.  

Such options are designed to reduce the environment's impact by breaking down more quickly or by being made from renewable materials. 

Here's a closer look at these two options:

• Biodegradable plastics: These degrade faster than typical plastics when exposed to environmental conditions, such as light, water, or microbes. They are derived from petrochemicals and designed to degrade more quickly. For example, plastic manufacturers make compostable bags or disposable utensils such as food containers.

• Plant-based plastics: These are commonly referred to as bioplastics derived from biomass such as cornstarch, sugarcane, or cellulose. Thus, a current trend is to produce plant-based plastics that fully decompose in composting environments. It is also common to create plastics like traditional plastics but with lower emissions. These materials are increasingly used in packaging, disposable cutlery, and even some bottles.

Challenges with Alternatives

While biodegradable and plant-based plastics offer hope for reducing plastic pollution, they also face significant challenges:

• Cost: The biggest challenge currently facing manufacturers of biodegradable and plant-based plastics is the relatively high production costs. These materials are more costly to produce than standard plastics, so they are limited in availability to consumers and firms.

• Availability: Biodegradable and plant-based plastics are not as readily available as regular plastics, and they are not widely available in most stores. Although they are used in specialized markets and organizations with high environmental awareness, they are not widely adopted due to a lack of mature infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities.

• Effectiveness: Biodegradable plastics only degrade under specific conditions. Industrial composting facilities must process most of it; without them, it can still harm the environment. However, all plant-based plastics exhibit degradability, compostability, biodegradability, and switchability. Some have fates similar to traditional plastics and remain in the environment.

• Consumer confusion: Given the range of bioplastics available, consumers may need further guidance on how to dispose of them. For instance, biodegradable plastic may require composting in certain circumstances and may be hazardous if dumped in the trash bin.  

Still, more development is required for alternatives to traditional plastics, as they remain expensive, are not readily available, and are challenging to recycle properly.  

However, as industries and governments increase their investments in these technologies, this solution will significantly reduce global plastic pollution.

Certain changes in consumer preferences, combined with global initiatives to reduce the use of plastic materials, can help mitigate future adverse environmental and health effects of waste.  

Conclusion  

Microplastics affect human health and the environment; now, it is time to act.

We still need more data about the effects of exposure to microplastics. However, actions can be taken to gradually reduce exposure, such as using a tap water filter, wearing cotton clothing, and avoiding plastic products. 

By making informed choices in your daily life and supporting efforts to reduce plastic pollution, you can help protect your health and the planet.

Now is the time to make personal changes and advocate for solutions that address the growing plastic pollution problem.     

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