Study Finds Microplastics in Tap and Bottled Water Small Enough To Pass Into Human Blood, Organs

Researchers used new technology to find microplastics that were previously too small to detect.

The findings of a new study raise concerns about the levels of microplastics humans may be ingesting from both bottled water and tap water sources.

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that shed and break down from water bottles, food wrappers and everyday household items. The particles can enter the human body when people ingest water and food, but researchers have thus far been unable to study microplastics inside the body due to scientific detection limitations.

However, new findings published in the journal PLOS Water by French researchers on January 15, now indicate humans are ingesting microplastics that are tiny enough to pass into blood and organs, potentially leading to adverse health side effects like cancer, as well as hormonal, metabolic, pulmonary and immune system issues.

Following a European Union directive requiring water screening for microplastics for particles ranging from 20 to 5,000 micrometers (μm), researchers from France examined levels of microplastics in bottled water and tap water. They used new sophisticated detection measurements to identify smaller particles down to 1 μm in 10 different brands of bottled water and one tap water sample. In previous studies, any particles smaller than 10 μm have been omitted because of the limitations of the testing methods.

The researchers report finding microplastic concentrations ranging from 19 to 1,154 microplastic particles per liter among the different samples. Overall, 98% of microplastics measured were less than 20 μm in diameter and 94% of microplastics measured were less than 10 μm in diameter, all smaller than what has been studied and detected previously.

Fine microplastics in the 1 to 20 μm range are more likely to pass through human intestines, enter into the bloodstream, and collect in the organs, the researchers warned, indicating most microplastics were much smaller than the typical range that is normally tested for.

The tap water sample contained 413 microplastics per liter. This was higher than eight of the 10 bottled water samples. It was also 10 times higher than the level of microplastics found in the groundwater sample.

Microplastic content in nutrition, including water, is unregulated in the United States and only to a certain size in the European Union. The findings of the study show the importance of updating regulations and including smaller sizes of microplastics during analysis, the researchers concluded.

Microplastic Health Concerns

Microplastics have been receiving more attention in recent years as their potential effects on human health become increasingly apparent.

A study published by Brazilian researchers last year indicated the particles are accumulating in the olfactory bulb of the brain. Researchers suggest microplastics may be building up in other parts of the brain as well, leading to health side effects that researchers aren’t even aware of.

Another study published by researchers from the University of Mexico found evidence of microplastics in human and dog testicles. Researchers said the microplastics can affect sperm count and lead to reproductive problems. Other data published in 2020 indicates every organ in the body shows the presence of microplastics.

Researchers warn microplastic consumption is unavoidable, since they are present in most consumables. Bottled water contains up to 100 times more microplastics than researchers previously believed, according to other research, and the particles are entering the body and moving into the bloodstream and organs.