What are Microplastics?

Microplastics are plastic particles no larger than five millimetres in size. Many of them, however, are far tiny and can only be seen using a microscope. Carbon and hydrogen atoms are bound together in polymer chains to form microplastics.

Microplastics and their potential health consequences

There are fears that microplastics may have a negative impact on human health.They can introduce bioactive substances into the body.

The majority of our food and water containers, as well as baby milk bottles and cups, are composed of polycarbonate plastic, which frequently contains bioactive compounds such as Bisphenol A. (BPA) and phthalates. Typically, it is the potentially hazardous compounds, rather than the plastic itself, that represents a threat to human health.

BPA, in particular, is known to be an endocrine disruptor. It has the ability to mimic the body's hormones and interfere with their production, secretion, transport, action, function, and removal.

Negative health consequences include

1: Heart disease: Low concentrations of BPA exposure can induce cardiovascular problems such as hypertension, heart attack, coronary heart disease, peripheral artery disease, and angina.

2: Type 2 diabetes: There is evidence that modest BPA exposure may contribute to insulin resistance and, as a result, type 2 diabetes.

3: Fetal brain development: Exposure to BPA during pregnancy, even at levels lower than the regulated 'safe' human exposure levels, can change brain development and behaviour later in life.

4: Breast and prostate cancer: Scientists believe that BPA's estrogen-like action may increase the risk of breast cancer and other malignancies in persons exposed to it in the womb.

5: Asthma: Prenatal BPA exposure is thought to raise the risk of wheezing and asthma, particularly during the second trimester.

6: Reproductive disorders: BPA exposure can alter egg maturation in humans and can disrupt endocrine function including the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. 

Human phthalate exposure has also been associated with changes in sex hormone levels, abnormal genital development, and low sperm count and quality. They are thought to raise the risk of obesity, low birth weight, decreased female fertility, preterm birth, more severe allergy, and asthma symptoms, and changed toddler behaviour.

How to reduce Microplastics in Drinking Water?

Minimizing or eliminating microplastic pollution in drinking water necessitates collaborative, deliberate effort on the part of governments, lawmakers, and the general public, including:

Bans and limitations imposed by the government on superfluous and harmful plastic items or activities

Initiate a cultural transition away from the prevalent throwaway culture and toward a healthier, more sustainable approach that safeguards the environment and human health.

Corporate phase-out of single-use plastic and throwaway items manufacture and use

Lessening littering

Enhance recycling programmes

Reducing industrial waste emissions into the environment

What steps can you take to lower your chances of consuming microplastics?

Drinking water is one of the most common ways humans consume microplastics. Bottled water, on the other hand, has around twice the microplastic level of tap water. In this scenario, we recommend avoiding bottled water entirely and instead drinking filtered tap water.

While transitioning from bottled water to tap water, you must check that the water flowing from your tap is free of other dangerous chemicals.

If the results suggest that the water is contaminated, the best course of action is to install a high-quality water filtering system.

Netsol Water provide two extremely dependable and efficient water filtration solutions that can remove microplastics and a variety of other hazardous impurities from your drinking water.These solutions include whole-house filtration systems, reverse osmosis systems, and many others. Our RO Systems are available with a choice of customized features to meet the demands of your home, business or industry.

For further information, call us on +91 9650608473 or email at enquiry@netsolwater.com.