Microplastics are tiny fragments of plastic, smaller than 5mm, made up of various types of polymers. They're present pretty much everywhere in the environment now, a byproduct of how plastic-reliant modern life has become, and their small size makes them genuinely hard to filter or remove from water and food.
Where Do Microplastics Come From?
Microplastics enter the environment from common consumer products and from larger plastics breaking down over time. Industrial processes shed microplastics during manufacturing and use, and everyday activities add to the total. From there, they travel through waterways, the air, and even through animals.
Why Are Microplastics a Problem?
Microplastics are now a constant presence in ecosystems, affecting wildlife and habitats and posing a real threat to biodiversity in oceans and soil. They also settle in human bodies, where they've been linked to health issues including inflammation and cardiovascular effects.
Microplastics in Drinking Water
Studies have found a concerning number of microplastics in drinking water sources worldwide. A lot of it traces back to plastic bottles, which shed particles that work their way into the water we consume daily.
Everyday sources add to the total too: certain cosmetics, washing synthetic clothing, and the ongoing breakdown of larger plastic waste all contribute. Eventually these particles reach rivers and seas, entering both drinking water and the broader food chain. Fish, shellfish, and even sea salt can contain microplastics, meaning a plastic water bottle and a seafood dinner can both be sources of exposure.
Microplastics and Plastic Water Bottles
Once a plastic bottle is discarded, it eventually fractures into smaller and smaller particles that spread into waterways and landscapes. Heavy reliance on single-use bottles keeps feeding that cycle. Recycling and switching to reusable containers are two practical, individual-level steps toward reducing it.
How Much Microplastic Do We Consume?
Research suggests people may ingest a surprising amount of microplastic on a weekly basis, through food, water, and even the air, with plastic bottles and synthetic textiles among the more notable contributors.
How Do Microplastics Affect Humans?
Research has found links between ingesting microplastics and inflammation, damage to cell membranes, and interference with normal bodily processes.
Microplastics and Heart Disease
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine examined arterial plaque from 257 participants and found microplastics present in nearly 58% of samples, with a heart attack, stroke, or death rate 4.5 times higher among people whose plaque contained microplastics. The researchers note this is an observational finding, so it can't establish microplastics as the direct cause, but it's a meaningful data point in a growing body of research.
How to Reduce Microplastics
Reducing microplastic exposure takes action on both ends: businesses innovating to rely less on plastic, and individuals choosing reusable goods over single-use plastics where they can. Both matter.
Filtering for Microplastics
A water filtration system is one practical step toward reducing your intake of contaminants, including microplastics. Activated carbon filtration, the technology used in ZeroWater's filters, has shown good results at capturing these tiny particles. For the best results, change your filter as recommended so your system keeps performing as intended.
Shop ZeroWater's Filtration Products
ZeroWater offers a range of pitchers and dispensers built to reduce contaminants and improve the taste of your water. Browse the full lineup to find the right fit for your home, and check our FAQ if you have questions.
Sources:
"Microplastics in Arteries Linked to Heart Disease Risk" - Harvard Health Publishing - https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/microplastics-in-arteries-linked-to-heart-disease-risk
