For many households in the world today, the presence of microplastics in drinking water is a major concern. These tiny plastic particles which may remain invisible to naked eyes pose significant health risks. The question that arises then is whether water filters are capable of eliminating microplastics from our drinking water as people seek for ways to make their waters clean and safe.
This article will take a look at what microplastics are, how they affect human health and what type of filters would work best in removing them from waters.
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What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces that are less than 5 millimeters in size and are often formed from the breakdown of larger waste plastics. These particles can originate from various sources, including cosmetic products, clothing fibers, and industrial processes. Due to their minute size, microplastics can easily infiltrate natural water sources and, subsequently, our drinking water supply.
Microplastics Is A “Pandemic” Of Its Own Kind!
The proliferation of microplastics has reached alarming levels, with studies revealing their presence in oceans, rivers, and even bottled water. This widespread contamination is a growing environmental issue, likened by some experts to a “pandemic” due to its pervasive nature and potential health impacts. Microplastics not only pollute water but also pose risks to wildlife and human health as they accumulate in the ecosystem.
How Do Microplastics React In The Body?
Once ingested, microplastics can interact with the body in various ways. These very small particles can move through the gastrointestinal tract and possibly cause inflammation and other ailments.
Some studies suggest that microplastics can carry harmful chemicals and pathogens, which may be released into the body upon ingestion. Although research is ongoing, the potential long-term health effects of microplastics in the human body are a significant concern.
Do Water Filters Remove Microplastics?
Filtration Method | Effectiveness |
Reverse Osmosis (RO) | Reverse osmosis systems have proven to be very effective in eliminating a wide variety of impurities, microplastics included. This type of system uses a semipermeable membrane to separate particles that measure as small as 0.0001 microns, thus making sure even the smallest microplastics are filtered out from the water. |
Carbon Filters | Activated carbon filters, commonly found in many home water filtration systems, can also remove microplastics. These filters work by adsorbing contaminants onto the surface of the carbon material. While carbon filters are effective in removing larger microplastics, their efficiency may decrease with smaller particles. |
Undersink Water Filters | Undersink water filters, which often combine multiple filtration technologies, can effectively reduce the presence of microplastics. Typically, these systems consist of sediment filters, activated carbon filters and sometimes reverse osmosis (RO) membranes; thereby providing overall purification. |
Whole House Water Filter Systems | Whole house water filter systems are built to filter all the water coming into a home, offering large-scale protection against different types of contaminants, including microplastics. These systems often incorporate multiple filtration stages, such as sediment filters and activated carbon filters, to ensure thorough removal of impurities. |
Best Water Filters to Remove Microplastics
When choosing a water filter specifically for removing microplastics, consider the following options:
- Reverse Osmosis Systems Reverse osmosis systems are among the best for ensuring the removal of microplastics due to their high filtration precision.
- Activated Carbon Filters While not as precise as RO systems, activated carbon filters are still effective for larger microplastics.
- Undersink Water Filter Systems Combining the benefits of multiple filtration technologies, undersink systems.
- Whole House Water Filter Systems For those looking to ensure that all water sources in their home are free from microplastics, whole house systems from a company like Filterway provide robust filtration solutions.
The right choice of a water filter system will depend on your own particular requirements and also on what is contained in your tap water. If you are looking for the most efficient way to filtrate your house water, then it is important that you first test it for impurities like microplastics.
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