Microplastics in water have become a concern for many people. According to researchers from the US NIH, bottled water contains an average of about 240,000 tiny plastic fragments per liter. About 90% of these plastic fragments are nanoplastics. In addition, the number of tiny plastic particles in bottled water is 100 times that in previous studies.
Can you filter microplastics from water? Currently, reverse osmosis is one of the most popular water filtration methods. So, does reverse osmosis remove microplastics? Next, you can find the answer in this article. At the same time, you can learn about the hazards of microplastics and the most effective water filters for removing microplastics.
Understanding Microplastics
Microplastics refer to tiny plastic particles with a diameter of less than 5 mm, which you cannot see or touch. It mainly comes from the natural decomposition or wear of plastic products. When microplastics are released, they will seriously affect environmental pollution. However, these tiny particles are everywhere in the environment, such as oceans, rivers, and soil, and thus enter our drinking water system.
Microplastics have many hazards. Not only will they be eaten by marine life, but they will also enter the human body through other channels. At the same time, microplastic particles may absorb many harmful chemicals, such as heavy metals and other pollutants. These pollutants will have a great impact on human health. Therefore, reducing microplastics can protect the water quality environment.
Are microplastics in drinking water harmful?
Microplastics in drinking water may be harmful to the human body, but the extent of their health effects is still under study. Since microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, they can enter drinking water through various channels. Here are some of the hazards of microplastics in drinking water:
Physical damage: If you consume drinking water or food containing microplastics for a long time, it may accumulate in the digestive tract. Although relevant studies have shown that some of the ingested microplastics will be excreted, a small amount of microplastics still enter the blood and organs from the digestive system, causing organ damage.
Harmful chemicals: Microplastics absorb a large amount of toxic chemicals, such as heavy metals and persistent pollutants. If these toxic chemicals fall off the microplastics and are released into the human body, it will have a great impact on human health. At the same time, these toxic chemicals have been proven to interfere with the endocrine system, which will affect hormone regulation and cell function.
Bacterial carriers: Microplastics easily absorb pathogens and some microorganisms. In drinking water systems, there may be bacteria on the surface of microplastics, which will also cause microbial contamination in the water. If you drink this water, it may cause harm to your health. Studies have shown that microorganisms on microplastic particles may cause gastrointestinal infections and other problems.
Environmental and long-term health effects: Although it is not clear whether microplastics pose a threat to human health in the short term, the cumulative effects of long-term exposure to microplastics over time are worrying.
How to detect microplastics in water
Detecting whether there are microplastics in water is a very complicated issue. Since microplastic particles are small and diverse. Detecting microplastics in water requires professional equipment and technology. Although it is not possible to detect directly at home or when camping outdoors, using high-efficiency water filters can reduce the intake of microplastics. The following are several common methods for detecting microplastics in water:
- Microscope observation
- Infrared spectroscopy
- Raman spectroscopy analysis
- Pyrolysis gas chromatography
- Density separation method
Related: How to filter out microplastics from water
Does reverse osmosis remove microplastics
Reverse osmosis can remove microplastics. Reverse osmosis removes all pollutants in water through a semi-permeable membrane. The pore size of the reverse osmosis membrane is 0.0001 microns, so it can filter out most pollutants including microplastics. For example, the ITEHIL portable reverse osmosis water purifier can remove 99.99% of pollution in water. The filtration effect is very efficient and has become a favorite of many camping enthusiasts.
Related: How does reverse osmosis water filter work
Why can reverse osmosis remove microplastics?
Microplastic size
Since the diameter of microplastic particles is less than 5 mm, and the pore size of the reverse osmosis membrane is 0.00001 micron, the pore size of the reverse osmosis membrane is much smaller than the microplastic particles. Therefore, the reverse osmosis membrane can block molecules smaller than microplastics, such as heavy metals, bacteria, dissolved salts, etc.
Multi-layer filtration mechanism
If you are using the ITEHIL reverse osmosis water filtration system, it uses multiple safety filtration steps, PP cotton + activated carbon and RO membrane multiple filtration, PP cotton can filter out large particles such as sediment and rust. Activated carbon can absorb impurities such as chlorine and organic compounds, and improve water quality and taste by removing odors and pollutants.
Reverse osmosis uses nano-scale membranes with micropores (0.1 nanometers or 0.0001 microns) to filter almost all impurities. Therefore, some microplastics will be intercepted in the first stage, and the remaining microplastic particles will be removed by the RO membrane.
Comparison of Reverse Osmosis Systems with Other Filtration Methods
Although the reverse osmosis system stands out for its high efficiency in removing microplastics. But many people also want to choose other methods. If you choose a reverse osmosis system, you need to consider regular maintenance and cleaning of the water filter cartridge. No matter which method, there are advantages and disadvantages. You can choose according to your needs, but we still recommend that you use an RO system to remove microplastics.
Activated carbon filter
Advantages:
Removes chlorine, odor, pigments, and some organic pollutants from water.
Improves taste: Improves the taste and smell of water.
Easy to install, low initial cost.
Disadvantages:
Not as effective as reverse osmosis in removing microplastics, heavy metals, and dissolved salts.
Does not remove microorganisms and viruses.
Related: What Does a Carbon Filter Remove From Water?
Ultrafiltration (UF) System
Advantages:
Removes most microorganisms, bacteria, and larger suspended matter.
Does not remove minerals from water.
Disadvantages:
Does not remove dissolved salts, microplastics, and chemicals very well.
Does not remove smaller particles and dissolved matter very well.
Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection
Advantages:
It can effectively kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in water.
No chemicals are used, and the water quality remains the same.
Disadvantages:
It cannot remove microplastics, heavy metals, chemicals, and dissolved salts.
UV lamps need to be replaced and maintained regularly.
Ion exchange filters
Advantages:
Removes hardness ions (calcium and magnesium) from water, reducing scale.
Removes some heavy metals and chemicals.
Disadvantages:
Not very effective in removing all pollutants (including microplastics).
Requires regular regeneration or replacement of ion exchange resins.
Final Thoughts
From the above, it can be concluded that the reverse osmosis system is the best way to remove microplastics from water. If you like portable RO systems, ITEHIL portable reverse osmosis water purifier is your ideal choice. It uses advanced reverse osmosis technology to help you get higher quality pure water. If you like outdoor travel, or like to take your family camping in the wild, it can filter drinking water for you anytime and anywhere, protecting the drinking water health of you and your family.
FAQ
Can boiling water remove microplastics?
According to the American Chemical Society, boiling hard water can remove up to 80% of microplastics. Boiling soft water can only remove about 20%.
What is the best filter for removing microplastics?
Reverse osmosis is one of the best filters for removing microplastics. It uses multiple filtration steps to remove 99% of pollutants in the water. Secondly, you can choose ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and activated carbon water filters, however, they are not as effective as reverse osmosis.
How to avoid ingesting microplastics?
It is recommended to drink less bottled water and choose filtered water. You can install a reverse osmosis system at home, or choose a portable reverse osmosis system, such as the ITEHIL portable reverse osmosis water filter. Secondly, reduce the use of products containing microplastics, or choose natural fiber products.
Can air purifiers remove microplastics?
Yes. For example, a device with a HEPA filter can capture particles of 0.3 microns and larger, including microplastics.
