Plastic pollution is a problem that is the order of the day, and we continually read news that alerts us to the presence of microplastics in the air, on clothing, in the food that reaches our plate and of course in the water: They have been detected in the sea, in rivers, in sewage and in both tap and bottled water. However, and as we mentioned in a report published in Very Interesting last year, little is known about the effect of these tiny particles on human health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has echoed these gaps and has just published an extensive report that compiles the information available so far on the presence of microplastics in drinking water, urging more research on the issue and alleviate the problem of plastic pollution.
“We urgently need more data on the health effects of microplastics, which are present everywhere, even in the water we drink,” explained Maria Neira, director of the Department of Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants in a statement. of the WHO Health. “ The limited information available seems to indicate that drinking water contaminated by these materials is not harmful to health, at least at current levels . However, we must continue studying this issue and prevent plastic pollution from continuing to increase throughout the world ”.
The report published by the organization summarizes the state of knowledge on the matter, which is scarce and confusing. Plastic particles larger than 150 microns appear not to be absorbed by the body and would be easily removed. The problem could be in nanoplastics, which having a smaller diameter could cross cell membranes , but little is known about their absorption and distribution.
“We need to carry out more studies to better understand the exposure to microplastics and its possible effects on people’s health. To this end, standardized methods have to be obtained to measure microplastic particles in water, analyze the sources and the presence of these materials in fresh water and evaluate the effectiveness of the different treatment processes ”, states the WHO statement.
The report highlights the lack of sufficient data to quantify the entry of microplastics into water and determine the specific primary sources from which they come. Furthermore, contamination can also take place during water treatment, distribution and bottling.
There is no reason to be alarmed
Regarding the health consequences of exposure to microplastics, the WHO recalls that there are no specific studies evaluating the effect in humans, and only a few studies have been carried out in animals and carried out with questionable methodology. Although some data suggest that the absorption and impact of microplastics of less than 50 microns in laboratory animals would be very limited, the organization highlights that the effect in humans is unknown, although for the moment all the reliable information on this matter is available. I would be saying that there is no reason to be alarmed.
In addition, the statement highlights that when treating wastewater, more than 90% of the microplastics present in it are eliminated, and that conventional treatment of drinking water removes particles with a diameter of less than one micron. However, a large part of the world’s population does not currently benefit from adequate water and waste treatment systems. By fighting human exposure to water contaminated by faeces, communities can simultaneously act against the effects of microplastics.
It is urgent to tackle the problem of plastic
Regardless of whether microplastics are harmless or not for human health, the truth is that the problem of plastic pollution is a serious environmental problem, which is altering ecosystems and endangering the lives of many marine organisms. The news of whales with their stomachs full of plastic or of sharks trapped in debris are just the tip of the iceberg of a huge problem that must be tackled with effective measures and legislation.
