WHO publish report on Microplastics
inDrinking Water
In , humans produced around407 million tons of plastic.However, plastic does notbiodegrade; instead, it breaks down into progressively smaller pieces of plastic.This means that in our environment, there are pieces of plastic measurable in both meters and nanometers.Tiny pieces of plastic, or "microplastics," end up everywhere — including the water supply.
A recent review collated 50 studies wherein scientists found microplastics in fresh water, drinking water, or waste water. Some of these studies counted thousands of microplastic particles in every liter of drinking water.Theoretically, if a person consumes them, some microplastics are small enough to pass through the gut wall and enter the circulatory system. Whether or not this happens, and whether or not it impacts human health, remains unknown.
Because plastics areubiquitousin the environment, and because they are not going away, it is vital that we understand the effects — if any.
A recent WHO report set out to develop a clearer picture.
Potential hazardsThe WHO report outlines three possible routes by which microplastics could impact human health:
Physical: Microplastics could enter the body and damage internal structures.
Chemical: For instance, plastic additives such as plasticizers could enter drinking water.
Biofilm: Microorganisms might attach to microplastics and form colonies, which could cause harm.
Although the report finds that evidence of all three routes is incredibly limited, it concludes that the latter two are of least concern.According to the researchers" analysis, microplastics larger than 150 micrometers probably do not enter the human body; smaller particles may get in, but they believe that uptake is limited.Absorption of nanosized particles might be more common, but again, >Animal studies have produced evidence to suggest that our bodies might absorb very small microplastics. However, the WHO report explains that these studies used "extremely high exposures that would not occur in drinking water."The lack of available information is not surprising; the public"s keen focus on plastic is a relatively recent phenomenon. In general, a lack of interest means a lack of funding and, therefore, a lack of research.
Toxicity of microplasticsWhen the researchers looked at toxicology studies, the evidence was equally sparse.The authors write that the studies "are of questionable reliability and relevance, with some impacts observed only at very high concentrations" that "do not accurately reflect potential toxicities that could occur at lower levels of exposure.""We urgently need to know more about the health impact of microplastics because they are everywhere— including in our drinking water,"explains Dr. Maria Neira, director of the Department of Public Health, Environment, and Social Determinants of Health at the WHO.She adds:"Based on the limited information we have, microplastics in drinking water don"t appear to pose a health risk at current levels. But we need to find out more. We also need to stop the rise inplastic pollutionworldwide."
In many parts of the world, peopledo nothave access to clean water. The impact of feces contaminated water on human health is well established.
The WHO also recommend continued effortsto minimize plastic usage. Even if microplastics do not make their way into the water supply, they will not disappear from the environment. （完）
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