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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/microplastics-buzz-demo-1024x678.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5460" /><figcaption>Microplastics on a human finger (Photo: The Daily Star)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Tiny plastic pollutants have infiltrated
nearly every aspect of human life, the World Health Organisation (WHO) finds. </p>
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<p>Frequently, microplastics are defined as
less than five millimetres long, according to WHO.</p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"Microplastics have been found in marine settings... food, the air and potable water." </p><cite> ⁠— the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday, August 22</cite></blockquote>
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<p>The WHO, which released its findings into the <a href="https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/microplastics-in-drinking-water/en/">effects of microplastics</a> on human health on Thursday, August 22, notes that while the tiny particles can be found just about everywhere, they are yet to pose a direct threat at this time.</p>
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<p>The WHO reported that the study was done to
establish the impacts microplastics could pose to humans – specifically, in the
consumption of tap and bottled drinking water. </p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/water-buzz-demo-2-1024x674.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5463" /></figure>
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<p>The WHO noted that “a number of key knowledge gaps” were identified from the study but gave recommendations with respect to the monitoring and management of all plastics in the environment, "and to better assess human health risks and inform appropriate management actions."</p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p> “We urgently need to know more about the health impact of microplastics because they are everywhere – including in our drinking-water,” </p><cite> ⁠— Dr. Maria Neira, WHO Director</cite></blockquote>
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<p>“Microplastics in drinking water don’t
appear to pose a health risk at current levels. But we need to find out more,”
said WHO Director, Dr. Maria Neira.</p>
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<p>Dr. Neira called for greater research to be done as based on its preliminary findings, microplastics have been found in marine settings, waste and freshwater, food, the air and potable water; both bottled and from a tap.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/dr-maria-neira-who-buzz-demo-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5462" /><figcaption>Director of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Maria Neira (Photo: YouTube)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>“We urgently need to know more about the health impact of microplastics because they are everywhere – including in our drinking water,” Dr. Neira argued further.</p>
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<p>According to the WHO’s findings, if one
drinks water with microplastics larger than the average cell, these particles are
unlikely to be absorbed in the body.</p>
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<p>Absorption of microplastic particles “including
in the nano-size range may, however, be higher”, the WHO report continued,
before cautioning that available data in this “emerging area” is extremely
limited.</p>
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<p>Head of the Department of Public Health at the WHO, Jennifer de France, warned that that bottled water “in general did contain higher particle numbers”.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/water-buzz-demo.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5461" /></figure>
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<p>She however cautioned against jumping to
conclusions, owing to the lack of available data.</p>
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