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 present microplastic 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 understand the problem better, 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 fabric produces microfiber in the water supply. These fibers are so tiny that washing machines and water treatment plants cannot trap them, and thus, they find their way into rivers, lakes, and oceans.

• Plastic waste: Bottles, bags, and packaging materials are some of the materials manufactured using plastic that disintegrate 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 intentional and unintentional. 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: Plastic debris discarded in oceans, rivers, or lakes undergoes physical breakdown due to environmental conditions, continuously releasing smaller particles into the water. This pollution can last hundreds of years, so microplastics are found in water systems.

With more microplastics infiltrating the water supply, environmental and health issues are becoming more pertinent to scientific research and public awareness.

How Does Microplastics Affect Human Health?

While microplastics continue to be present in the environment, people’s attention to their impact on the quality of human 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. 

Microplastic is already found in the water we drink and the food we eat; therefore, it has a potential effect on our health, as we have yet to understand it fully.

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 more concentrated 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 present in cosmetic products can penetrate the skin in some way. 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 could get stuck in lung tissue, with probable short-term effects on the respiratory tract, inflammation, or 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 that are commonly added to plastic products. Chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates used in plastic manufacturing can act as endocrine disruptors. These chemicals are known to 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 during plastic decay. 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 these pathways and risks, more research is still required to determine how microplastic exposure may present hazards to the human body in the long run. 

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 major hazard for ecosystems, especially aquatic systems. 

Its components are microplastic, which has remained 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 life forms to the largest marine creatures, devastatingly impacting ecosystems. 

These negative impacts began, however, as microplastics succeeded in penetrating various water sources; thus, the consequences for food and biological resources are worsening, in turn, affecting 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 fish, plankton, and seabirds, often confuse microplastics with food. Upon ingestion, these particles can block the gastrointestinal tract of animals, leading to malnutrition, low energy levels, and sometimes death. In some cases, Microplastics block the digestive process in animals by hindering them from absorbing proper nutrients from their food.

• Toxic chemical absorption: Plastics are infamous for capturing and transferring toxic substances, including pesticides and industrial chemicals. These chemicals can then get into the bodies of the affected marine animals once they swallow microplastics. The chemicals build up within the animal, causing possible negative effects on their health, such as diseases affecting reproductive organs, a weak or no 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 where pollutants build up in an organism 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 have shown that certain seafood species, especially filter-feeding organisms like 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, meaning people may ingest these particles 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 it's impossible to eliminate microplastics from your environment completely, you can adopt practical strategies to reduce contact with these particles. From choosing the right water filters to making mindful choices in everyday products, you can significantly reduce your intake of microplastics and help 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, activated carbon filters 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 from cotton, wool, silk, or hemp. These fabrics shed fewer microplastics compared to synthetic alternatives.

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

3. Avoid Single-Use Plastics

• Use reusable items: Opt for reusable water bottles, bags, and food containers instead of single-use plastic options.

• 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 depending on the location, and seafood from heavily polluted areas is more likely to contain microplastics.

• Choose smaller fish: Due to bioaccumulation, larger fish tend to have more microplastics, so opting for smaller species can help reduce your consumption.

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 into microplastics and entering water systems.

Are There Alternatives to Plastic?

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

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

Knowledge of these choices and the disadvantages involved is necessary when minimizing the use of plastic.

Biodegradable Plastics and Plant-Based Alternatives

Biodegradable and plant-based plastics are among the most effective solutions to the plastic issue. 

Such options are designed to reduce the environment's impact as they break down more quickly or are made from renewable materials. 

Here's a closer look at these two options:

• Biodegradable plastics: These are made to degrade faster than typical plastics when subjected to some form of environmental condition, including light exposure, water, or microbes. Plastics are derived from petrochemicals, which are designed to disintegrate faster. For example, plastics manufacture compostable bags or disposal 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 producing plant-based plastics that decompose fully within composting environments. It is also common to create plastics that are essentially like traditional plastics but possess lower emissions levels. 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: Currently, the biggest challenge that manufacturers of biodegradable and plant-based plastic face is the relatively high cost of production. These materials tend to be more costly to produce than normal plastics and, hence, are limited in availability to consumers and firms.

• Availability: Biodegradable and plant-based plastics are not as easily accessible as regular plastics, mainly available from most stores. Although they are applied to special markets and organizations with high environmental awareness, they are not popular due to the lack of mature infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities.

• Effectiveness: Biodegradable plastics only require specific conditions to be degraded appropriately. Most of them must be processed by industrial composting facilities; in their absence, they can still be detrimental to the environment. However, all plant-based plastics have properties such as degradable, compostable, biodegradable, and switchable; some of them have fates similar to traditional plastics and remain in the environment.

• Consumer confusion: Given the range of bioplastics available, consumers may require further guidance on how to dispose of the product. 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 the options that replace traditional plastics because they remain expensive, are not easily available, and are challenging to recycle appropriately. 

However, as industries and governments increase their investments in these technologies, they will make this solution much better for reducing global plastic pollution.

Certain changes in consumers’ preferences, in combination with global initiatives to reduce the general use of plastic materials, can help control the future adverse effects of waste on the environment and the health of the general population.

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 decrease exposure gradually, such as using a filter for tap water, wearing cotton clothes, and staying away from 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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