Avoiding single-use bottles could cut microplastic intake by over 90%

Microplastics — those tiny plastic particles that are widespread in our environment — are a relatively new research topic, but emerging evidence suggests they negatively impact human health. With all the recent information and concerns being shared about them (including one finding that the human brain could contain as much as a spoon’s worth), finding ways to limit exposure to microplastics is a growing priority for many consumers.

To that end, a recently published paper is making news for sharing a simple but highly effective way to significantly reduce your microplastic intake: switching from single-serve bottled water to tap water.

Making this simple shift could reduce an individual’s microplastic intake from 90,000 to 4,000 particles per year, making it an impactful intervention, according to a study cited in the paper.

Microplastics and Their Health Implications

Microplastics have been widely found in the food we eat, the products we use, and the water we drink – but these tiny particles can’t be seen, smelled or tasted. They can be as be as small as 1 micron, which is 1/1000 of a millimeter. Even at their largest, these particles are only 5 millimeters in size — about the size of a pencil eraser.

Studies have found that microplastics can potentially lead to a variety of health concerns, including an increased risk of inflammation, the development of respiratory illnesses, and a a host of other problems including organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder and a variety of chronic diseases.
A study from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences also found that “microplastics may act as vectors that transport toxic chemicals and bacterial pathogens into tissues and cells.”

How to Address the Risk

As noted by the physicians authoring the paper in Genomic Press, it is difficult to fully avoid microplastics in day-to-day life, but there are steps that can be taken to reduce exposure.

“Given the widespread presence of microplastics in the environment, completely eliminating exposure is unrealistic,” the paper says. “A more practical approach is to reduce the most significant sources of microplastic intake.”

As the study notes, one easy way to decrease microplastic exposure is to stop relying on drinking water from single-use plastic bottles. The paper suggests that shifting away from single-use plastic bottles can reduce the amount of microplastics consumed per year by over 90%.

Avoiding plastic food-storage containers is another commonly recommended way to limit microplastic exposure. A study found that plastic food containers are a source of microplastics that are consumed or emitted into the environment. Re-using plastic take-out food storage containers and heating foods in plastic containers can increase exposure. Opting for glass or stainless-steel food storage is an effective way to reduce your exposure to microplastics.

Some research also suggests that using plastic cutting boards can be a substantial source of microplastics in food. Replacing them with wooden or bamboo cutting boards can reduce the amount of microplastics in your diet.

Solutions for You and Your Home

If you’re concerned about microplastics in the water you drink, switching from bottles to tap water is a good first step, but adding in the right water filtration system can offer even more protection. Not only can filtration offer more comprehensive reduction, but it also can help protect you from a host of other potential water quality issues.

Reverse osmosis filtration is one of the most comprehensive options. Culligan’s Aquasential Smart Reverse Osmosis System, for example, is certified to reduce microplastics by 99.6%. It’s also certified to reduce more than 90 other contaminants, including lead, chlorine, mercury and more.

If you’re interested in exploring the best options for your home and family, getting expert advice is the best next step. You can start by scheduling a free in-home water consultation with your local Culligan expert to find out what’s in your water and learn about the best solutions.