Microplastics: What are the risks?
Microplastics are potentially dangerous for humans because of their harmful effect on the endocrine system. They are among the famous endocrine disruptors that interfere with our hormones (thyroid hormones, estrogen, testosterone, etc.). They can therefore harm the development and proper functioning of reproduction, the nervous system or the immune system.
Additionally, research indicates that the effects of nanoplastics, which are even smaller than microplastics, remain largely understudied. These particles could have even more serious consequences for human health since they have the ability to penetrate biological barriers even more easily.
How to remove microplastics from water?
Fortunately, there is a way to significantly reduce the concentration of microplastics in water. The solution is simple: just boil it.
Boiling process can remove most microplastics
According to researchers from Guangzhou Medical University, this traditional solution, already used to purify water in many countries without easy access to drinking water, could also prove useful in eliminating microplastics.
The researchers added microplastics to fresh water and boiled it for five minutes, with promising results: When boiled, hard, mineral-rich water produces calcium carbonate (the limescale that sometimes forms a crust or deposit in pots and kettles). They found that these small bits of calcium carbonate are effective at trapping plastic particles. Then, the water can be filtered to get rid of these potentially microplastic-laden deposits.
Results may vary
This technique works best with hard water, which is water that is high in calcium and magnesium. Since the process relies on these minerals to capture microplastics, softened water that is low in minerals will not be as well purified.
The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, shows different results depending on the hardness of the water: boiling soft water removes only about 25% of microplastics, while boiling hard water removes up to 90%.
Other tips for purer water
Boiling and filtering your water before drinking it can be tedious. There are other solutions to get rid of microplastics:
Use water filters
Some water filters can filter out most microplastics from tap water. Here are some effective solutions against microplastics:
- Reverse osmosis filters:
Reverse osmosis uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove a large number of contaminants, including microplastics. This method is very effective in purifying water, also filtering heavy metals, bacteria and viruses. However, it consumes a lot of water: to obtain 1 litre of osmosis water, up to 3 litres of tap water must be used. In addition, osmosis water can be “too pure” because the filtering process also removes minerals, which can cause deficiencies. - Water distillers:
A distiller heats water until it reaches its boiling point. The steam rises into a condenser, cools and is collected in a separate container, stripped of microplastics but also most nutrients.
Use less plastic in everyday life
Although it is not possible to completely eliminate our exposure to microplastics, there are some good practices that can help limit their ingestion.
Packaging can make a difference
Recent studies have shown that plastic bottles can contain far more microplastics than previously thought. It is therefore worth limiting your consumption of bottled water and opting for filtered tap water and glass containers.
Buying food in bulk is also a great way to limit exposure to microplastics. Just like water, packaged foods can contain far more microplastics than those sold without packaging.
Similarly, for cosmetics, there are alternatives without packaging, especially thanks to solid products. Many brands now offer solid, plastic-free versions of deodorants, soaps, shampoos and even toothpastes! With this type of product, there is no risk of ingesting plastic.
Adopting more environmentally conscious consumption
In general, the presence of microplastics in the environment can be reduced by adopting more conscious consumption: by actively choosing a less polluting and more environmentally friendly lifestyle, we can minimize our ecological impact and gradually put an end to microplastics.
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