Celebrating National Water Quality Month with Waterdrop

Updated: July 22, 2026

Derek B. Davis

Science Communicator & CMO at Earth.com
Derek B. Davis specializes in translating complex research on health, technology, and environmental topics into clear, practical insights, helping families make informed decisions that protect their health and promote access to safe water.

Table of contents

Microplastics have rapidly shifted from an obscure scientific topic of interest to a defining environmental and public health concern. While microplastics were once believed to be confined to oceans and landfills, these tiny particles are found in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. As research accelerates, so does public awareness. According to the 2025 Waterdrop Annual Water Survey, microplastics have now become the most feared water contaminant among US consumers, surpassing other hazardous contaminants such as lead and PFAS.

Introduction1

Microplastics as a Feared Contaminant

What Are Microplastics?1

Microplastics are small plastic particles measuring less than 5 millimeters in size.[1] As a reference, a grain of rice is about 5 millimeters. Microplastics originate either as intentionally manufactured small particles, such as microbeads in cosmetics, or as fragments that break off from larger plastic items.[2] Nanoplastics are even smaller pieces, measuring less than 100 nanometers, and these smaller particles can penetrate biological tissues more readily.

Because of their small size, microplastics can easily travel through water systems, soil, air, and living organisms. [3] Their small scale also makes them extremely difficult to remove once they enter the environment.

Where Do Microplastics Come From?

Global overabundance of plastic is the root problem that drives microplastics contamination. Between 1950 and 2015 an estimated 6.3 billion tons of plastic waste were generated with 79% either buried or discarded in the environment.[2] Over time, these materials break down into small particles through sunlight, heat, and/or mechanical stress. Microplastics tend to accumulate in landfills and garbage dumps, soil, water sources (rivers, lakes and streams), and in dust.[2] These particles can remain in the soil for decades or be transported by wind or water, which can lead to spread far beyond their original source.[3]

Microplastics can also originate from common household and industrial sources. Synthetic fabrics shed microfibers during washing, and some personal care products, such as exfoliants, contain microbeads.[4] Indoor environments contain particles from insulation and furnishings.[5] Microplastics have even been detected in freshly fallen snow![6] Unfortunately, the ubiquity of plastic in our modern lives ensures that microplastics are continuously generated and dispersed throughout our environment, making it easy to encounter them in everyday life.

Where We Encounter Microplastics

Waterdrop X Series Reverse Osmosis System, X12

Remove 99% of Lead | Alkaline Minerals

$1,039.00 $1,299.00

Learn More Buy Now

$260 Off

Microplastics in the Environment

As we discussed, microplastics are found in nearly every part of the environment, and they are used in almost every consumer product category. There are many ways in which microplastics can enter our bodies. They can be inhaled in both indoor and outdoor environments.[7] Several studies have also detected microplastics in food including seafood, salt, honey, sugar, and fruits and vegetables.[8] Finally, a global study found that up to 83% of tap water samples contained microplastics.[1] If you think bottled water is safer, think again. Bottled water may contain even higher concentrations of microplastics, due to shedding from plastic bottles and caps.[9]

FAQ

Pellentesque convallis accumsan suscipit aliquet eu diam quis nulla turpis. In mus massa lectus laoreet sed semper bibendum id.