They are in our ice, our air and our drinking water — both bottled and tap — and the World Health Organization would like more research on their potential effects on humans.
They are microplastics, those tiny particles left when plastic breaks down. Microplastics are smaller than 5 millimeters in length (or the size of a sesame seed, NOAA says) and found just about everywhere.
» Microplastics found in 90 percent of table salt used around the world, study says
"We urgently need to know more about the health impact of microplastics because they are everywhere — including in our drinking-water," said Maria Neira, director of the Department of Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health at WHO. "Based on the limited information we have, microplastics in drinking water don't appear to pose a health risk at current levels. But we need to find out more. We also need to stop the rise in plastic pollution worldwide."
But WHO said Wednesday there is not enough information to cause people to worry.
According to the analysis, “microplastics larger than 150 micrometres are not likely to be absorbed in the human body and uptake of smaller particles is expected to be limited.”
In other words, most microplastics you consume are larger than 150 micrometers — the width of a strand of hair — so you will excrete them rather than absorb them.
» Your bottled water is probably contaminated with tiny plastic particles, health experts say
WHO acknowledges more research is needed, however, including "developing standard methods for measuring microplastic particles in water; more studies on the sources and occurrence of microplastics in fresh water; and the efficacy of different treatment processes."
Wastewater treatment can remove more than 90% of microplastics from wastewater, WHO stated, with the highest removal coming from filtration. Conventional drinking-water treatment can remove particles smaller than a micrometer.
To read a summary of WHO's key findings, recommendations and conclusions from the report, click here.
