
Does Reverse Osmosis Remove Microplastics From Drinking Water?

You probably wouldn’t want to find a plastic particle in your drinking glass. Unfortunately, with the widespread presence of microplastics in the environment, that may become a reality — and given their tiny size, you might never see, smell or taste those particles.
The good news is that you don’t have to scramble for solutions. Comprehensive reverse osmosis (RO) filtration systems can address microplastics in drinking water, all while treating a broad range of other concerns and contaminants.*
Here’s a closer look at RO and its role in filtering microplastics.
How Reverse Osmosis Filtration Systems Address Microplastics
Reverse osmosis (RO) filtration systems can address a wide range of drinking water problems from potentially harmful contaminants to odd tastes and odors.
Advanced reverse osmosis systems typically include multiple filtration stages that work together to target more contaminants than the RO stage alone — including microplastics. For example, Culligan’s most advanced RO filtration systems are third-party certified to reduce microplastics by 99.6%, but their certifications also cover chlorine, lead, arsenic, iron, emerging contaminants and more.
How does it work? It all comes down to filtration technology. Microplastic particles range in size from 5 millimeters to 1 micron, which is 1/1000 of a millimeter. and The Culligan Total Defense filter can reduce particles and impurities as small as 0.5 microns.
Other Benefits of an RO System
Installing an RO filtration system is a great way to avoid microplastic exposure, but it comes with a lot of other benefits, too.
For example, a reverse osmosis system requires fewer filter changes than common choices like pitcher or refrigerator filters. While simpler filters may need to be replaced in just a few months, you only have to replace Culligan RO filters every 1-2 years and the RO membrane every 3-5 years.
Avoiding frequent filter replacements is just one element of the convenience a reverse osmosis system offers. Since it provides fresh, filtered water right from your kitchen sink, doesn’t require refills or storage space like a pitcher does, and there’s no need to buy, carry and store heavy cases of single-serve plastic bottles of water. Along the way, you’ll also reduce plastic pollution, which means there will be that much less microplastic later on.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, RO provides peace of mind through efficiency and reliability. The best systems address dozens of potentially harmful contaminants like forever chemicals, lead, viruses and more.
What You Need To Know About Microplastics in Water
There’s a lot of news and research about microplastics. While you don’t have to know every detail, it’s good to have a solid understanding of what you’re dealing with and why. Here are some key facts about this specific kind of plastic pollution:
Defining Microplastics
As the name suggests, microplastics are tiny plastic particles. There are two main types:
- Primary microplastics: These particles are designed for commercial use in everything from cosmetics to fishing nets, and they start out small.
- Secondary microplastics: Plastic waste breaks into smaller pieces instead of breaking down; secondary microplastics are really just bits of single-use water bottles, food packaging and other trash.
It’s important to note that microplastics aren’t the same as nanoplastics. The latter are even smaller — less than 1 micrometer— and can be more difficult to research.
The Plastic Pollution Problem
Why are there microplastics in drinking water in the first place? The problem is that these particles can get just about anywhere, including in trash, dust, air, soil and living things — including humans. That means natural systems like rain move microplastics through the environment all the time, eventually reaching the groundwater and surface water that likely feed your tap.
Perhaps ironically, these tiny particles can be an even bigger problem than other plastic waste. Think about it: A single-use bottle in the landfill isn’t good, but it can only be in one place at a time. When it breaks down into small pieces, it can find its way into far more natural habitats and water sources.
Microplastics and Safety
There is little known to date about the potential effects of microplastics on health and safety. Scientists at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and elsewhere are working to create ways to understand these impacts.
However, for most people, it’s still unpleasant to think about consuming microplastics. That’s just one more reason to consider home RO treatment.
FAQs: Water Treatment and Microplastics
There’s plenty to learn about both water treatment and microplastics. The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert in either area to benefit from a reverse osmosis filtration system.
Of course, you can still do your research to ensure you’re making all the best decisions for your home. Let’s take a look at some FAQs:
Are There Microplastics in Bottled Water?
If you were thinking about switching to single-use bottles to avoid microplastic exposure, you may have to think again. Over the years, researchers have found hundreds of thousands of particles in various bottled water brands. One potential reason for this is actually in the lid. As you twist the cap on and off, you could be breaking off tiny microplastic particles that end up in your water right before you take a sip.
Can All Treatment Systems Remove Microplastics?
Not all water treatment solutions are created equal. For example, simpler systems may not be designed to filter out impurities as small as microplastics. Others may catch some but not all of the particles. Your best bet is to look for third-party certification to ANSI/NSF standards, which are designed to ensure treatment solutions can adequately address different water quality issues.
Does All Water Have Microplastics?
Microplastics have been found in both tap and bottled water, which is not surprising considering how these particles move in the environment. Because they’re so small and widespread, microplastics can end up in many water sources, including:
- Lakes
- Streams and rivers
- Reservoirs
- Aquifers
That means microplastics could potentially be in both city and well water. Here’s what to know about each type:
- City: Although municipal solutions like wastewater treatment plants may remove some plastic particles, depending on their treatment approach, others can remain.
- Well: Private wells aren’t regulated by municipal or federal governments, so the homeowner is responsible for addressing any potential quality issues, including microplastics.
Are There DIY Solutions for Microplastic Removal?
Many water problems have DIY solutions that, while imperfect, can certainly work in a pinch. For example, you can use vinegar and baking soda to remove hard water stains — but only a water softener will address the core issue, which is the presence of hard minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Unfortunately, the same isn’t true for plastic problems. Bleaching, boiling and letting your water sit out may work in other situations, but not when it comes to microplastic removal. That’s why it’s best to turn to an RO filtration system as your first line of defense.
Address Microplastics in Drinking Water
Although research shows that you don’t have to worry about current levels of microplastic exposure from drinking water, nobody wants to take a sip of plastic. Fortunately, reverse osmosis systems can help address this problem and much more, protecting your home from a variety of water quality concerns and frustrations.
Ready to get started? Browse reverse osmosis filtration systems or schedule your free in-home water consultation now.
*Contaminants may not be present in your water.
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Does Reverse Osmosis Remove Microplastics From Drinking Water?
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