Have you ever thought about what is actually hiding in your home water? One of the biggest hidden threats to our home water supply is microplastic.
These tiny plastic particles are now everywhere, in our rivers, oceans, tap water, and even in bottled water. Most of us do not see them, but they are badly affecting our health and environment our health and environment in many ways.
However, the good news is that there are several ways to effectively filter microplastic out of our home water supply.
In this blog post, we will cover what microplastic is, its negative health effects, and how to effectively remove it from water.
What are Microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that are normally less than 5 millimeters in size. They usually come from larger plastics that break down over time and from many products such as face scrubs, synthetic clothing, and car tires. Generally, you might not see them, but they are everywhere such as they are present in the air, soil, and water.
Once microplastics enter the water, they are difficult to remove and they can easily end up in the food chain, affecting badly humans and wildlife as well.
Now, let’s move on to understanding some of their major negative health impacts.
Negative Health Impacts of Microplastics
Here are four negative health impacts of microplastics on the human body.
-
Disrupting Hormones:
Microplastics usually carry chemicals such as BPA and phthalates, which can disturb hormones in the human body. These chemicals copy natural hormones, potentially leading to some serious issues such as infertility, development problems, and even certain cancers.
-
Digestive System Problems:
When we consume water or eat food containing microplastics, these tiny plastic particles can easily gather in our gut. Many research shows that microplastics might damage the intestinal lining, badly affect digestion, and decrease nutrient absorption.
-
Inflammation and Immune Response:
Microplastics can cause inflammation in the human body. When the human immune system notices these unfamiliar particles, it badly reacts, which can lead to extreme inflammation. With the passage of time, this may weaken the human immune system and increase the risks of diseases.
-
Toxins in the Human Body:
Microplastics act like absorbent materials for toxins chemicals. They can easily absorb heavy metals, pesticides, and other harmful substances from the environment. When we consume microplastics, these harmful toxins can enter our bloodstream, potentially causing serious health problems including liver and kidney damage.
How to Remove Microplastics from Water?
Now that we know how harmful microplastics can be, the big question is how do we remove them from our home water supply. Since microplastics are so tiny particles, they can easily slip through regular water filters.
But don’t worry, there are still some effective ways to filter them out. Here are four methods to remove microplastics from water:
-
Install a Reverse Osmosis System:
A reverse osmosis system is one of the most powerful and effective filtration methods to remove microplastics from water. It pushes water through a very fine membrane, removing 99.99% of impurities including microplastics.
Additionally, a reverse osmosis system can also filter out particles as small as 0.0001 microns, making sure that your water is completely clean and safe. However, these systems can be more expensive and require installation, they give some of the purest drinking water possible.
-
Try an Ultrafiltration System:
An ultrafiltration system works similarly to reverse osmosis systems but does not effectively remove all harmful particles from water. It uses a special membrane with many tiny holes that block microplastics, bacteria, and other contaminants.
An ultrafiltration system is the best option if you want to keep healthy minerals in your home water, while still filtering out harmful particles. Moreover, ultrafiltration systems are also used in combination with carbon filters for better results.
-
Use Distillation:
Distillation is another highly effective method to remove microplastics from water. Distillation involves boiling water to create steam and cooling it back into liquid form. Since microplastics and other contaminants do not evaporate, they are left behind, leaving you with clean and safe water.
However, the downside is that distillation takes time and uses a lot of energy. So, if you are looking for the cleanest water, then distillation is the best method to remove microplastics.
-
Use High-Quality Carbon Block Filter:
A carbon block filter is one of the best ways to effectively remove microplastics from home tap water. These filters normally use activated carbon, which has tiny pores that trap small particles, including microplastics.
Moreover, carbon block filters are commonly found in under-sink and countertop filtration systems. They not only remove plastic but also remove chlorine, bad odors, and many other harmful chemicals. If you want a simple yet effective solution, this is the best option for removing microplastics from water.
Most Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I remove microplastics from my drinking water?
Basic water filters would not catch them, but advanced filters such as activated carbon, reverse osmosis systems, and ultrafiltration systems can help you catch microplastics from drinking water.
You can also let water sit in a glass container and let it sit for a while. Some plastic pieces will rise to the top and you can easily remove them.
Are bottled water and tap water from microplastics?
No, both bottled and tap water can have microplastics. In fact, research shows that bottled water usually has more microplastics as compared to tap water because of plastic packaging.
Conclusion:
Microplastics are tiny particles but dangerous, getting into our water and affecting our overall well-being. They can disturb hormones, damage the digestive system, cause inflammation, and bring toxic chemicals into our bodies. Since they are so small, regular filters do not catch them. But don’t worry, there are some effective ways to remove them.
High-quality carbon filters, reverse osmosis systems, ultrafiltration systems, and distillation can help make your water safe and clean. While some methods are more expensive or take time, they are worth it for cleaning home water. Remember protecting your health starts with filtering out microplastics from your home supply.