Microplastics and Nanoplastics Water Test

Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Drinking Water: An Emerging Concern You Can Now Test For

Microplastics and nanoplastics are tiny plastic particles that have made their way into virtually every corner of our environment, including our drinking water. Microplastics are particles larger than one micrometer but smaller than five millimeters. Nanoplastics are even smaller, measuring less than one micrometer, making them small enough that some research suggests they may be able to penetrate biological membranes and potentially enter the bloodstream.

A landmark study by Columbia and Rutgers universities found that a single liter of bottled water can contain an average of 240,000 tiny plastic fragments, with 90% being nanoplastics. Tap water and well water have also been found to contain microplastics, though levels vary depending on the source and local infrastructure. These particles enter water supplies through aging plastic pipes, plastic packaging, environmental runoff, and the breakdown of larger plastic waste over time.

The long term health effects of ingesting microplastics and nanoplastics are still being studied, but early research on animals and human cells suggests potential impacts on cell function, immune response, and inflammation. This is an area of rapidly growing scientific concern, and testing is the only way to know what levels are present in your own water supply.

How It Works

Order your test and we will mail you a sample collection kit with easy to follow instructions. Collect a water sample from your tap and send it back to our in-house laboratory. Using a scanning electron microscope, our team will analyze your sample and provide particle counts for each plastic size detected. Results are delivered within 5 to 7 business days from the date your sample arrives.

Understanding Your Results

Microplastics and nanoplastics testing is a rapidly evolving field and results can be complex to interpret without context. Every test includes a free consultation with one of our in-house water quality experts. Once your results are in, reach out by phone or email and we will walk you through what was found and what it means for your household.

This test is recommended for anyone concerned about plastic particle exposure in their drinking water, households on both well and city water, people who drink primarily tap water rather than bottled water, and anyone curious about the microplastic levels in their preferred bottled water brand. It is also a valuable baseline measurement as research in this area continues to develop rapidly.