The report is WHO’s first review to investigate the potential human health risks of microplastics."But I wouldn’t want people to go away with the idea that microplastics are no longer important," because they might be harming the environment, he said. He also urged broader efforts to reduce plastic pollution.Microplastics are created when man-made materials break down into tiny particles smaller than about 5 millimeters (roughly one-fifth of an inch), although there is no strict scientific definition.Andrew Mayes, a senior lecturer in chemistry at Britain’s University of East Anglia who didn’t participate in the WHO report, agreed that microplastics in water don’t appear to be a health worry for now."Gordon acknowledged, however, that the available data is "weak" and that more research is needed."
But just because we’re ingesting them doesn’t mean we have a risk to human health," said Bruce Gordon, WHO’s coordinator of water, sanitation and hygiene.""Even if we stop (adding) plastic to the environment right now, microplastics will increase as larger pieces divide into smaller and smaller pieces," Mayes said, adding scientists have little understanding of the long-term consequences. "They could be doing a lot of damage in unseen ways. It said people have inadvertently consumed microplastics and other particles in the environment for decades without sign of harm. health agency said the minuscule plastics are "ubiquitous in the environment" and have been found in drinking water, including both tap and bottled, most snow fence likely as the result of treatment and distribution systems.
