Important Notice: Microplastics Threaten Water Quality

The first week of May commemorates the first time the term "microplastics" was introduced into scientific literature. Scientist Richard Thompson wrote an article first published in the journal Scienceon May 7, 2004 describing the term microplastics as tiny fragments of plastic polymers accumulating on beaches and in the ocean.

Why it matters: Microplastics are ubiquitious, in our air, water, and soil, from the highest mountain peaks to the depths of the Mariana Trench to the remotest parts of the globe. To make matters worse, the prevalence of microplastics continues to increase. What's more, as scientists study more about microplastics, they're discovering that microplastics are in our bodies, and may even be linked to serious health problems.

Other articles written by Hydroviv's Science Team

A scientificstudyrecently published revealed that bottled water contained vastly more plastics (in the form of both microplastics and nanoplastics) than were previously known.

Why it matters: Microplastics have been detected in bottled water, but much smaller nanoplastics are found in much greater amounts. Unlike microplastics, nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier, raising concerns among scientists about their unknown health effects on the human body. Here are some other reasons why bottled water may not be the best solution for your drinking water needs.

Scientists have discovered that some types of microplastics are leaching phthalates (a class of chemicals used to make plastics more durable and flexible) into the environment.

Why it matters: Phthalates have been linked to a plethora of serious health issues as diverse as asthma, breast cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and cognitive issues, and both male and female reproductive problems. Thus not only do we need to be concerned about the presence of microplastics, but also the risks associated with phthalates leaching from microplastics.