BEIJING — Microplastics — tiny plastic fragments less than 5 millimetres in size — have become a growing concern worldwide as they infiltrate food, air, and water, eventually making their way into the human body. Recent research has now uncovered a surprisingly effective way to remove them from drinking water.
In 2024, a team of Chinese scientists conducted a series of experiments to address this rising issue. They tested their method on both soft water and hard tap water, the latter of which contains higher mineral content. The results revealed that the technique was simple, efficient, and applicable to everyday use, making it a promising step toward reducing human exposure to microplastics.
Although microplastics are nearly invisible to the naked eye, their impact is far-reaching. Studies have linked them to health risks such as inflammation, hormonal disruption, and potential long-term organ damage. With plastics now detected in oceans, rivers, and even bottled water, finding practical solutions has become a global priority.
The discovery from China offers hope that with further refinement, communities around the world could adopt affordable methods to purify their water. If scaled effectively, this innovation could mark a major milestone in safeguarding public health against the silent threat of microplastic pollution.