Microplastics in water: risks and prevention

Learn about the risks of microplastics and how treatment systems can protect water resources and human health

Microplastic pollution is one of the most serious environmental challenges of our time. These tiny plastic fragments, less than 5 millimeters in size, are found throughout the environment—from oceans to rivers—and unfortunately often end up in our water resources, including drinking water. Microplastic pollution is growing at an alarming rate, with potentially devastating effects on aquatic life and possibly harmful impacts on human health.

Water treatment and management systems can play a crucial role in fighting this type of pollution. They make it possible to remove contaminants like microplastics from wastewater, preventing them from being released into the environment and eventually re-entering the water cycle with potentially harmful effects on human health.

The risks of microplastics for health and the environment

Microplastics in water come from a variety of sources, including the breakdown of plastic waste, microfibers released from synthetic fabrics during washing, cosmetics, and skincare products that contain microbeads. Despite global initiatives to reduce plastic use, these small particles continue to contaminate the environment, even reaching drinking water sources.

They are an invisible but real threat to human health. When ingested, these particles can accumulate in the body and pose long-term health risks. While research is ongoing, some studies suggest microplastics may be involved in issues such as cellular toxicity, hormonal disruptions, and other chronic illnesses. Microplastics can also carry toxic substances like heavy metals and pesticides that can be absorbed by the human body.

Additionally, microplastic pollution has devastating impacts on the environment. Aquatic animals such as fish and shellfish can ingest microplastics, with harmful consequences for their health and for entire ecosystems. This phenomenon also threatens marine biodiversity, which is essential for maintaining the balance of natural environments.

How to prevent microplastic pollution

Preventing microplastic pollution requires a global, collective effort, but there are practical steps we can all take to reduce our impact on the environment and health. These measures can be adopted at the personal, corporate, public, and institutional levels:

• Reduce single-use plastic consumption: Avoiding disposable plastic products like bottles, cups, and cutlery is a fundamental step. Choosing reusable or compostable alternatives helps reduce plastic waste production.
   
• Recycle plastic correctly: Promoting plastic recycling is essential to reduce the amount of waste ending up in oceans and rivers. Investing in an efficient recycling system is crucial for the planet’s future.
   
• Promote the use of biodegradable materials: Replacing plastic materials with more eco-friendly, biodegradable solutions in industrial sectors and everyday use.
   
• Invest in microplastic filtration technologies: One of the most effective solutions to reduce microplastics in water is adopting advanced filtration technologies, such as water treatment systems equipped with specialized filters to remove plastic particles.
   

Water treatment systems as a solution

Water treatment systems are essential for addressing microplastic pollution. Advanced technologies such as reverse osmosis, microfiltration, and ultrafiltration can remove plastic particles, ensuring cleaner and safer water. Additionally, advanced treatment processes can purify drinking water, reducing the risk of contamination from microplastics and other pollutants.

Idro Group has been dedicated for years to designing and building water treatment and reuse systems with a focus on removing microplastics. Thanks to cutting-edge treatment systems, Idro Group can ensure effective removal of microplastics from both wastewater and drinking water, helping protect water resources and public health.
 

A collective responsibility

Microplastic pollution is one of the most urgent challenges to address for global health and environmental protection. Reducing plastic use, promoting recycling, and adopting advanced treatment solutions are fundamental steps to preserve our water resources and ensure a more sustainable future.

Thanks to technology and the commitment of companies like Idro Group, we can limit the impact of microplastics, protecting human health and the environment for future generations.

Idro Group’s solutions for fighting microplastics

Idro Group specializes in the design and construction of domestic wastewater treatment plants, industrial wastewater treatment plants and many other modern systems for water management and treatment, including those for recovering and reusing wastewater.

These systems handle large quantities of water and, through specific treatments, can deliver clean water with organoleptic, chemical, physical, and biological characteristics that meet legal standards, making it suitable for multiple uses. Using the most advanced filtration and treatment systems, water is cleaned of pollutants like microplastics, helping return safe, potable, and environmentally friendly water to the cycle.

Treatment plants can also be custom-designed based on the specific sector’s needs and the type of contamination to be addressed.

The group's many years of experience in the sector and its highly specialized team allow Idro to identify the optimal solution tailored to the customer’s specific needs, whether public or private. To learn more, don’t hesitate to contact us!