Microplastics
About microplastics
Reverse osmosis removes microplastics from drinking water, because an RO membrane's pores are far smaller than even the smallest microplastic particles. Microplastics are pieces of plastic under 5 millimeters across, shed from packaging, clothing and tires; the smallest, nanoplastics, are under a thousandth of a millimeter. They have been found in tap water and in bottled water.
Health effects
The science on health effects is still early. The World Health Organization's 2019 review found no evidence of a health risk from the levels then measured in drinking water, but called for much more research, especially on the smallest particles. There is no federal limit for microplastics in U.S. drinking water, and California is the first state to require testing for them.
In DC-metro tap water
Utilities in the DC area are not required to test for microplastics, so there is no local measurement to show on our water reports yet. Bottled water is not an escape from them: studies have found plastic particles in bottled water, some of them shed by the bottle itself.
How to remove it at the tap
Reverse osmosis is the most thorough home option: the membrane holds back particles far smaller than microplastics. Fine carbon block filters also capture many of the larger particles. Boiling does not remove them. A reverse osmosis system with its own faucet also means no plastic bottles.
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Frequently asked
Does reverse osmosis remove microplastics?
Yes. A reverse osmosis membrane's pores are far smaller than microplastic particles, so the membrane holds them back along with dissolved contaminants.
Are there microplastics in tap water?
Yes, studies have found microplastics in tap water as well as bottled water. U.S. utilities are not required to test for them, so levels in a given city are usually unknown.
Do Brita and other pitcher filters remove microplastics?
Some carbon filters catch larger microplastic particles, depending on how fine the filter is, but most pitchers are not tested for them. Reverse osmosis is the more complete option.
Is bottled water free of microplastics?
No. Studies have found plastic particles in bottled water too, some shed by the bottle and cap themselves.
Are microplastics in drinking water harmful?
It isn't known yet. The World Health Organization found no evidence of harm at the levels measured in 2019 but called for more research, particularly on nanoplastics.
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