Are You Drinking Microplastics? These 3 Health Risks Are Real — Here’s How to Stop Them at the Tap

Are You Drinking Microplastics? These 3 Health Risks Are Real — Here’s How to Stop Them at the Tap

Microplastics are turning up everywhere — in the food we eat, the air we breathe, and increasingly, in the water we drink. While science is still uncovering the full extent of their impact on human health, some risks are already clear. In this article, we’ll explore the top three science-backed hazards linked to microplastics, how they get into your tap water, and what you can do to stop them.

1. Microplastics Have Been Found in Human Brains

A groundbreaking 2024 study published in Nature Medicine detected microplastics in human brain tissue for the first time. The researchers found that the frontal cortex of decedents contained significantly more microplastic particles than other organs like the liver and kidneys. Most of the plastic found was polyethylene (PE), one of the most common plastics in everyday use.

Most concerning: the study found higher microplastic concentrations in individuals diagnosed with dementia. While the findings don’t prove that microplastics cause cognitive decline, they do confirm that these particles can cross the blood-brain barrier, a protective shield that usually keeps harmful substances out.

Source: Nature Medicine, 2024

2. Microplastics Raise the Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

In a separate study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers analysed arterial plaque from patients undergoing surgery for carotid artery disease. They discovered microplastics or nanoplastics in 58.4% of the patients.

Even more troubling, patients with microplastics in their arteries were found to be 4.5 times more likely to suffer a serious cardiovascular event (such as a heart attack, stroke, or death) during a 34-month follow-up.

Source: NEJM, 2024

3. Microplastics Carry Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals

Microplastics aren’t just a physical threat. They also act as sponges for toxic chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors. These substances interfere with the body’s hormone systems and have been linked to fertility issues, metabolic disorders, and developmental problems.

A 2024 review in Environmental Chemistry Letters describes how micro- and nanoplastics transport these chemicals into the body, potentially compounding their health impact.

Source: Environmental Chemistry Letters, 2024

Yes, There Are Microplastics in Tap Water

The World Health Organization has confirmed what many people suspected: microplastics are present in both bottled and tap water around the world. According to a 2022 information sheet, the WHO acknowledges that while the health effects of microplastics are not fully understood, there is enough evidence to warrant action.

They urge more research and a "precautionary approach," especially when it comes to drinking water. That means doing what you can to reduce exposure — even as the science evolves.

Source: WHO, 2022

Can Tap Water Filters Remove Microplastics?

Yes — but not all filters can.

Our 4-Stage Tap Faucet Water Filter uses ultra-fine ceramic filtration media as small as 0.5 microns, which is capable of capturing particles much smaller than the size of most microplastics. While microplastics can range from 1 micron to 5 millimetres in size, our system is designed to block the fine particles that slip through less advanced filters.

The outer layer of the filter cartridge is made from a single shell of high-grade, micro-porous ceramics. Water passes through millions of microscopic pores in the ceramic cartridge shell, each pore being less than half a micron large. Because of the small pore size, impurities such as bacteria, microorganisms, and sediment are trapped inside the pores of the ceramics and filtered out of your tap water.

The Benefits of Removing Microplastics at Home

Filtering your tap water offers more than just health protection:

  ✅ Peace of mind, especially for families with children or elderly members
  ✅ Healthier water for drinking, cooking, and even watering plants
  ✅ Better taste and clarity
  ✅ Less reliance on bottled water, which is often plastic-contaminated itself
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And all of this comes at a fraction of the cost of whole-house filtration systems.

It Doesn’t Stop at Microplastics

Our tap filter also helps protect you from a wide range of other waterborne contaminants:

   ✅ Heavy metals like lead and mercury
   ✅ Chlorine and chloramine, which can dry out skin and hair
   ✅ Agricultural pesticides and herbicides
   ✅ Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and industrial byproducts

In short: it’s an all-around water quality upgrade.

We can’t solve the world’s plastic crisis overnight, but we can take simple steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

If you’re ready to reduce your exposure to microplastics and other harmful contaminants, explore our tap filter today. One small change at the tap can make a meaningful difference in your daily health.