Tiny particles of plastic carrying ‘biofilms’ that could contain disease causing bacteria and which may already be entering our guts have contaminated drinking water supplies around the world, a landmark UN report has warned.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has compiled the most comprehensive review to date of the evidence of microplastics – tiny plastic particles measuring less than five millimetres (0.2 inches).
Microplastics have hit headlines over recent years, as they have been detected in marine water, wastewater, fresh water, food, air and drinking-water, both bottled and tap water.
Now, for the first time, WHO has examined the potential human health impacts of exposure to microplastics through drinking-water.
The study also outlines areas for future research that could shed light on the scale of the problem and what we can do about it.
That includes finding out where most microplastic pollution is, where it is coming from, how it may impact human health and what can be done to stop more of these particles from entering our drinking water.
Tiny particles of plastic carrying ‘biofilms’ that could contain disease causing bacteria and which may already be entering our guts have contaminated drinking water supplies around the world, a landmark UN report has warned. This graphic shows the biggest producers of plastic worldwide, as well as predicted growth for the future
Groundwater, Germany | 0.0007 | Mintenig et al, 2019 |
---|---|---|
Three Gorges Reservoir,China | 4.7 | Di and Wang, 2018 |
Dongting Lake, China | 1.2 | Wang et al, 2018 |
Hong Kong Lake, China | 2.3 | Wang et al, 2018 |
Rhine river, Europe | 0.0056 | Mani et al, 2015 |
Western Lake Superior,USA | 0.00026 | Hendrickson, Minor,and Schreiner, 2018 |
There has been very little research to date that has looked at the issue of microplastics in drinking water, the WHO report warns.
The information within it was collected through literature reviews on all scientific studies carried out to date on the occurrence of microplastics in the water cycle.
It also gathered evidence on the potential health impacts from microplastic exposure and the removal of microplastics during wastewater and drinking-water treatment.
WHO experts examined and rated the quality and relevance of all of the studies they found during this process.
It revealed that larger microplastic particles, bigger than 150 micrometres, are likely to be passed out of our bodies without harm.
Smaller particles could potentially be absorbed into our organs, however.
It also suggests microplastics have the potential to both carry disease-causing bacteria and help bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.
The report recommends that drinking-water suppliers and regulators prioritise removing disease-causing bacteria and harmful chemicals from the water supply, as that would also remove microplastics from drinking water.
Ultimately, the best solution is to stop polluting the world with plastics, the report says.
The World Health Organisation has compiled the most comprehensive review to date of the evidence of microplastics – tiny plastic particles measuring less than five millimetres (pictured in this file photo)
Microplastics (pictured in this file photo) have hit headlines over recent years, as they have been detected in marine water, wastewater, fresh water, food, air and drinking-water, both bottled and tap water
Now, for the first time, WHO has examined the potential human health impacts of exposure to microplastics (pictured in this file photo) through drinking-water
The study also outlines areas for future research that could shed light on the scale of the problem and what we can do about it. That includes finding out where most microplastic pollution (pictured in this file photo) is, where it is coming from, how it may impact human health and what can be done to stop more of these particles from entering our drinking water
Dr Andrew Mayes, from UEA’s School of Chemistry, developed a test that revealed microplastics in bottled water around the world.
The rapid screening method identifies microscopic plastic particles – as small as a few micrometres – in water and sediment samples.
The method ‘sees’ microplastic particles, by staining them using fluorescent Nile Red dye. The dye adsorbs onto plastic surfaces, making them fluorescent when irradiated with blue light. These fluorescent particles can then be visualised and counted.
This research led to the report, which also calls for a reduction in plastic pollution to benefit the environment and reduce human exposure.
Commenting on the report, Dr Mayes, said: ‘As might be expected from a WHO-commissioned report, this is a pretty comprehensive synthesis of all the currently-available scientific evidence.
‘The report is well balanced and seeks to assess the risks in an overall context relative to other likely risk factors. By drawing together all the available and often disparate evidence, the working group has added considerable value to the literature through thoughtful and detailed analysis.
‘The key finding, that microplastics in drinking water pose a low risk to human health, based on current available evidence, will no doubt come as a relief to worried members of the public.
‘Lack of rapid, cost effective and reliable methods for detecting and analyzing microplastics is a key bottleneck in much of the required research effort to understand the sources, distribution behaviour and fate of microplastics, both in environmental and medical contexts.
‘Hopefully, highlighting this issue in such a prominent way in the report will encourage the research community and funding agencies to address this gap in an urgent and concerted way.’