Assuring safe, potable water is a basic right to all humans but with constantly evolving pollution that includes microfiber plastics, attaining water purity is a challenge. Microplastic is any plastic that is 5mm or smaller and remains one of the most prolific pollutants that are appearing in seas, rivers, and tap water.
These particles represent many dangers that can lead to inflammatory reactions, and hormonal disruptions as well as transporting hazardous chemicals in the human body. As a result, people use a number of treatments for water such as boiling and employing simple methods like Doulton filters. However, how much of microplastic can be removed by these methods? Let’s explore.
Boiling water: A traditional approach
Water pasteurization is one of the simplest and most effective methods that people have used to purify water. It helps to eliminate bacteria, virus and parasitic forms that may trigger transmission of water borne diseases. Unfortunately, boiling is not very effective when it comes to microplastics.
Why boiling falls short
Does Not Eliminate Solid Contaminants:
Water can be boiled to eliminate pathogens, but boiling water does not clear the water from solid state particulates including microplastics. A portion of these particles are minute and are not removed by boiling. In fact, they stay suspended in water even after it is cooled.
Potential release of harmful chemicals:
Microplastics can include toxic additives or adsorbed pollutants. Some of these chemicals might dissolve in water during boiling and hence the risks of drinking water are likely to be aggravated rather than minimized.
No Impact on microplastic size:
The objective fact is that boiling does not change anything concerning microplastics, particularly, size and its properties.
Hence, while boiling is a reliable method for microbiological safety, it offers little to no protection against microplastics.
Basic filtration systems: The case of Doulton Filters
Doulton water filters offer ceramic filtration system for homes and other institutions to provide safe water for human consumption. All these filters are intended to eliminate a broad variety of particles that include bacteria, cysts, and sediments.
How Doulton Filters work
Doulton ceramic filters are provided with a gravity fed ceramic filter, along with activated carbon and other media to remove impurities. First of all, the ceramic shell contains millions of small openings that are usually within 0.2 to 0.5 microns in size and can prevent contamination.
Performance regarding microplastics
Physical filtration: Because many microplastics range between 1 and 100 microns, the crystals within the fabric of Doulton filters captured a substantial proportion of the particles. Big microplastics with the naked eye can mechanically be wiped out of the water as it goes through the filter.
Activated carbon: Doulton filters sometimes use activated carbon, that can absorb some organic matter related to microplastics and chemicals. Although it might not filter out all the microplastics, it certainly helps to lower the toxicity level of water.
Long-Term protection: While boiling can provide only initial and temporary purification, Doulton filters work continuously, if they are properly maintained and replaced, as the manufacturer advises.
As the problem of pollution with plastic products increases in the world, it became quite important to study the strengths and weaknesses of various water treatment methods. Incorporation of basic filtration along with other technologies such as Doulton water filters coupled with sustainable practices in the reduction of plastic consequently can play role in achieving right goal of safe and clean drinking water in right way.
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