If you’ve been following our blog or have heard one of our water experts speak, you already know that Dierolf Plumbing and Water Treatment takes the issue of microplastics seriously. These tiny. invisible contaminants are showing up almost everywhere. Many of our customers have already taken steps to protect their families with proper filtration, but new research continues to uncover even more reasons for concern. This month, we’re exploring some of that research and exploring the surprising ways humans are exposed to microplastics every day.
1. Microplastics and the Mind: A Frightening Connection
A new ScienceAlert article reveals that tiny plastic particles may be sneaking into our brains and could be linked to vascular dementia. Researchers found more microplastics in the brain tissue of people who suffered from dementia, suggesting these invisible invaders might damage blood vessels or interfere with brain function. It’s a chilling reminder that the plastic problem isn’t just in our oceans, it might be in our minds, too.
2. Bottled Water’s Dirty Secret: Microplastics by the Thousands
According to ScienceDaily, the average person consumes between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles every year, and that number jumps to about 90,000 for people who mainly drink bottled water. These tiny plastics can enter the water during manufacturing and storage, and once inside the body, they may travel through the bloodstream and settle in organs. Researchers are still studying the full impact, but early evidence points to inflammation, hormone disruption, and even effects on the brain. It’s enough to make you think twice before grabbing a plastic bottle.
3. Microplastics Are Everywhere, and They’re Hurting Us
Experts from Harvard’s School of Public Health warn that microplastics have been found in human organs and could be contributing to heart attacks, strokes, and dementia. Plastic production has nearly doubled in just two decades, flooding our environment and bodies with toxic chemicals like PFAS and phthalates. The takeaway is simple but scary: plastic pollution isn’t just bad for the planet, it’s bad for us too.
4. When “Better” Bottles Aren’t Better at All
In our own Dierolf Plumbing & Water Treatment article, we shared a surprising discovery that glass bottles can actually contain far more microplastics than plastic ones. The issue isn’t the glass itself, but the painted metal caps that shed tiny plastic particles into the water. It’s a great reminder that even well-intentioned choices can have hidden downsides when it comes to what we drink.
5. Your Dryer Could Be Spreading Microplastics
A study covered by the Desert Research Institute and reported in the Tahoe Daily Tribune found that household dryers may emit over 3,500 metric tons of microfibers and microplastics annually across the U.S. These particles come from synthetic clothes being dried, hot air vents carry them out, and lint filters don’t catch everything. It’s a startling reminder that even your laundry routine might be contributing to plastic pollution and exposure.
6. The Foods Hiding Microplastics You’d Least Expect
An article by CNET highlights several everyday foods that may contain microplastics—including tea in bags, salt, seafood, and even produce. While it’s still unclear exactly how much impact these tiny particles have on our health, the idea that our favorite snacks might be sneaking in plastics is unsettling. You can check the full list here:
7. Pollution Hiding in “Pristine” Waters
A report from PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center featured on the Environment America site shows that even in Pennsylvania’s highest-quality trout streams, microplastics were found in every single sample. The study found fibers in 100 % of the sites, and fragments or film in about 84 % of them, painting a picture of contamination in waters we thought were untouched. The takeaway: if microplastics are in our most protected waterways, no place is truly safe.
Protect Yourself From What You Can’t See
Microplastics might be invisible, but their impact on our health and environment is becoming impossible to ignore. From the air we breathe to the water we drink, these particles are finding their way into nearly every part of our lives. The good news is that you can take steps to protect your home and your family.
At Dierolf Plumbing and Water Treatment, we specialize in solutions that remove contaminants like microplastics, and other harmful particles from your drinking water. Schedule your free water test and system evaluation today to see what’s really in your water and take the first step toward cleaner, safer, and healthier water for your family.
