Research launched into impacts of microplastics on human health

The levels of microplastic found were roughly double that found in tap water by a previous study. Bottles tested originated from the US, Mexico, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Lebanon and Kenya.

As a result of these findings from the State University of New York at Fredonia, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced a review into the potential risks of microplastics in drinking water. There is not currently any evidence that microplastics in drinking water are harmful to human health, but that may be in part because so far, very little research has been done in this area.

We do already know that microplastics are building up in the bodies of marine animals - some of which end up being consumed by humans. With this new discovery of microplastic in drinking water, it's important that we quickly find out whether microplastics are harmful when drunk or eaten, and if so, what the negative impacts may be for us.

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