Microplastics There is a growing concern in the modern world and research is proving that their tireless use is now becoming quite worrying. The increasing presence of microplastics in our environment is increasing important concerns for human health. As a proof of the potentially harmful effects of microplastics, excessive use of the same is becoming dangerous day by day.
According to recent studies, microplastics are potentially responsible for cancer, infertility, respiratory dysfunction and other chronic diseases. All these diseases are long -term consequences of our dependence on plastic.
Not only this, a study (the essence published in the January 2025 issue of pregnancy, the first official magazine for the Society for Maternal Medicine) found that microplastics and nanoplastics accumulate in the placenta at a much higher level in preterm births than the entire conscience.
Microplastics are mainly absorbed into the body through ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact. These particles can be breathed in the form of air particles, or absorbed through the skin, through contaminated food and water.
However, for our great relief, scientists have succeeded in finding a simple and effective means of removing them from water.
How to find out how to find out.
Research:
In 2024, a colleague research team of Guangzhou Medical University and Johnan University in China organized a series of experiments examining both soft water and hard tap water, which is characterized by its high mineral content.
In Research paperScientists expressed significant concern about avoiding centralized water treatment systems to tap water nano/microplastic (NMP), “emphasizing potential health risks, thsoring humans through daily water consumption to these contaminants. To further investigate, the researchers introduced nanoplastics and microplastic in water samples before boiling and later filtered any resulting precaution.
Remarkable, the boiling and filtering process proved to be effective in removing more as 90% of NMPS, although the use of the success of this method varies depending on the type of water. The practical advantage of this method lies in its reach; Most houses can demonstrate this simple technique using common kitchen items. Biomedical Engineer Zimin U, representing the team Guangzhou Medical UniversityIt has been said, “This simple boiling water strategy can ‘decontamate’ NMP with domestic tap water and can harmlessly promise to reduce the human intake of NMP through water consumption.”
Researchers noticed that a large percentage of NMP was effectively terminated by hard tap water samples. This type of water naturally leads to the formation of limscale – mainly calcium carbonate – when heated. As the temperature of hard water rises, this knife accumulates, promotes a layer on plastic surfaces that implicate minuscule plastic pieces. As Researcher“Our results showed that nanoplastic rainfall increased with an increase in water stiffness when boiling.”
conclusion:
The findings of this compelling research were published in the honored magazine Environmental science and technology papers,
To further explain its findings, the team provided specific percentage: they noted that the removal of NMP has increased significantly, reaching 34% on the toughness of 80 mg L of 1 of calcium carbonate, which has reached 180 mg L. Growing up to 84% at 1, and 300 mg L ‘is impressive at 90% at 1. Even in soft water, where calcium carbonate levels are low, about 25 NMPs were successfully captured. The research team mentioned that any lime-coated plastic particles can be easily eliminated using a simple filter, such as stainless steel nets are usually employed for stress.
previous studies Drinking water supply has detected various plastic pieces including various plastic -polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terefthelets. For the purpose of strictly testing their strategy, researchers added increased concentration of nanoplastic particles in water samples, resulting in a significant decrease of these contaminants.
Researchers concluded in their findings, “Drinking boiled water is a viable long -term strategy to clearly reduce the global risk of NMP.” However, he also admitted that boiling water is considered only a limited number of cultural customs in limited areas around the world.
Way ahead:
As the anxiety over plastic pollution is increasing, the authors of the study hoped that the practice of drinking boiled water would become more prevalent. While the entire limit of health implications generated by microplastics is uncertain, Existing research Already suggests a link between plastic consumption and changes in intestine microbiomes, as well as an increase in antibiotic resistance in the body.
The research team further is curious to find out how boiling water can serve as a barrier against the absorption of harmful artificial materials, possibly reduced some subjects related to microplastics. The authors said, “Our results have validated a highly viable strategy for NMP to reduce human risk and prepared an essential basis for future studies, including a large array of samples.”
What are microplastic and nanoplastics?
According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and European Chemical Agency, there are less than 5 mm (0.20 in) pieces of microplastics length of any type of plastic. The US EPA researchers define microplastics, or MPs as plastic particles from 5 mm (mm), which is from about 1 nanometer (NM) about the size of a pencil eraser.
For comparison, a strand of human hair is about 80,000 nanometer wide.
Nanoplastics are small plastic particles that are less than a micrometer in size. They are made when large plastic objects break up or have an by -product of industrial processes.
Microplastics and harmful effects of nanoplastics:
Living organisms in microplastic and nanoplastics can cause significant damage to living organisms, including humans, inflammation, by triggering oxidative stress, disrupting cellular processes, and potentially various organs, which are especially due to their ability to penetrate and accumulate within the body, especially when the ingredients are ingested or inheld; It can lead to potential health issues such as respiratory problems, digestive disorders and reproductive complications depending on the exposure level and particle size.
key points:
Cellular damage: These small plastic particles can cause direct damage to cells by causing physical disruption, disrupt cell membranes, and induce cell death (apoptosis).
oxidative stress: Microplastic and nanoplastics can trigger oxidative stress within the body by generating harmful free radicals, causing cellular damage and potential disease growth.
inflammation: The presence of these particles can trigger an inflammatory reaction in the body, potentially contributing to chronic inflammatory diseases.
Tissue accumulation: Due to its small size, nanoplastics can easily penetrate tissue barriers and can accumulate in various organs, including liver, lungs, and reproductive organs.
Disruption of organ function: Depending on the affected organ, the accumulation of microplastics and nanoplastics can disrupt normal physiological processes, causing potential organ dysfunction.
