A new study has highlighted the presence of fine microplastics in drinking water, urging the European Union (EU) to revise its detection standards to include smaller particles that may pose a greater risk to human health.

Researchers in Toulouse, France, found that most microplastics in bottled and tap water samples measured less than 20 microns (μm), a size small enough to potentially pass from the human intestine into the bloodstream and organs. Current EU guidelines only require monitoring of particles between 20 μm and 5 mm, leaving these finer plastics largely undetected.

Majority of Microplastics Found Are Under 20 Microns

The study, published in PLOS Water, tested 10 bottled water brands and one tap water source using a new method capable of detecting microplastics smaller than 20 μm. Results showed that 98% of the microplastics detected were below this threshold, with 94% measuring less than 10 μm in diameter.

“The idea was to prove it’s possible to analyze very fine plastics and to show the European Union that setting the detection limit at 20 microns makes little sense,” said Oskar Hagelskjaer, CEO of Microplastic Solution and the study’s lead author.

The researchers found microplastic concentrations ranging from 19 to 1,154 particles per liter, with the tap water sample from Toulouse containing 413 particles per liter—higher than most bottled water samples.

Advanced Detection Methodology

The study employed enhanced instrumentation and rigorous quality control to prevent sample contamination, offering a more accurate assessment of microplastic prevalence.

Bethanie Carney Almroth, a professor of ecotoxicology at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, called the methodology “quite strong,” noting the researchers’ careful consideration of potential contamination and measurement accuracy.

Microplastics in Bottled vs. Tap Water

While bottled water was packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, PET was not the most prevalent plastic found in the samples. Researchers speculate that factors such as tap water filtration processes or river contamination may contribute more significantly to microplastic presence.

Groundwater-sourced drinking water, which undergoes natural soil filtration, showed significantly lower microplastic concentrations compared to treated surface water, the study found.

Health Concerns and Global Impact

The health implications of microplastic exposure remain uncertain, though their ubiquity raises concerns. “They’re finding them everywhere they look. We know we have them in our bodies,” Almroth said, adding that emerging evidence suggests potential health impacts.

Researchers described microplastic contamination as a “pervasive problem,” noting that no region on the planet remains unaffected. The findings call for immediate action to address the risks associated with microplastics in drinking water and the broader environment.

Tanzania is grappling with an outbreak of the highly lethal Marburg virus, with eight fatalities confirmed so far, global health authorities reported.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identified the outbreak in the Biharamulo and Muleba districts of the Kagera region, an Eastern African transit hub. As of January 11, nine suspected cases have been reported, including healthcare workers. The Marburg virus, which is related to Ebola, has a case fatality rate of up to 89%, according to WHO officials.

Symptoms and Transmission

WHO said the suspected patients displayed classic symptoms of Marburg, such as high fever, headache, back pain, diarrhea, vomiting with blood, and severe physical weakness. In later stages, external hemorrhaging may occur.

The virus is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces, putting healthcare workers and close contacts at heightened risk.

“There is an expectation of further cases as disease surveillance improves,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a social media update.

Containment Efforts Underway

Rapid response teams have been deployed to the affected areas to investigate and contain the outbreak. Authorities are tracing contacts of infected individuals, setting up treatment centers, and enhancing public awareness to prevent further spread.

However, officials caution that detection and isolation of cases have been delayed due to the Kagera region’s role as a transit hub, which may have facilitated the virus’s spread.

Neighbouring countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have been urged to remain vigilant. “We recommend neighbouring countries be on alert and prepared to manage potential cases,” Tedros said.

No Approved Vaccine or Treatment

Marburg virus outbreaks are rare but severe, with fatality rates ranging from 24% to 88%. There is currently no authorized vaccine or treatment, although experimental options are being tested.

In 2023, a similar outbreak occurred in Tanzania’s Kagera region, resulting in nine cases and six deaths. Another outbreak in Rwanda last year sickened 66 people and caused 15 deaths before being declared over in December.

Zoonotic reservoirs, such as fruit bats, are believed to play a role in the virus’s transmission and remain endemic to the region, WHO noted.

Global Risk Assessment

While the risk of global spread is low, WHO considers the threat high for Tanzania and its regional neighbors. Health authorities are focusing on containing the outbreak swiftly to prevent a broader crisis.

“Marburg virus outbreaks underscore the need for robust surveillance systems and rapid response measures to protect public health,” the agency said in a statement.