The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for urgent research on the risks of microplastic to humans after tiny fragments have been found in UK drinking water.
WHO did 50 studies and found microplastics in water which do have the potential to be absorbed into the body. The WHO found that larger particles and most of the smaller ones without being absorbed however the findings were based off limited information so they have called for a larger research on the topic.
Microplastics are defined as small pieces of plastic debris that have been found in lakes, rivers, tap water and in bottled water. Bottled water can contain “a few hundred” microplastics particles. Microplastics do not appear to pose a health risk at current levels, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Studies have also found that micro plastics can also be found in seafood and the air.
Professor Peter Jarvis of Cranfield University said: “where there is opportunity for water to interact with plastic material there is opportunity for plastic to go into the water source,”
“There are higher risks of exposure to plastics from bottled water than tap water. The evidence points to the cap itself as the main contributor to plastics in the water” he added.
Dr Maria Neira, a public health and environment specialist at the WHO, said: “We urgently need to know more about the health impact of microplastics because they are everywhere, including our drinking water.”
