Thread by @WHO

Live from Geneva: WHO calls for more research on microplastics in drinking water. Q&A with Bruce Gordon. #AskWHO pscp.tv/w/cC5EijI2MTAy…

Tweet your questions on microplastics in drinking water to our expert, Bruce Gordon. Use hashtag #AskWHO

WHO calls for more research into microplastics and a crackdown on plastic pollution, following the analysis of current information on microplastics in drinking-water 💧. 👉bit.ly/2Nz6d6H #BeatPlasticPollution

@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @pahowho @WHOAFRO @DrTedros @UN_News_Centre @naokoy21 @DrMariaNeira The latest knowledge on microplastics in drinking-water💧states that microplastics larger than 150 micrometres are not likely to be absorbed in the human body and uptake of smaller particles is expected to be limited.
👉bit.ly/2Nz6d6H

📷EPA-EFE/YAHYA ARHAB

@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @pahowho @WHOAFRO @DrTedros @UN_News_Centre @naokoy21 @DrMariaNeira Microplastics are everywhere in the environment and have been detected in a broad range of concentrations in:
-Marine water
-Wastewater
-Fresh water
-Food
-Air
-Drinking-water, both bottled & tap water
👉bit.ly/2HkqdWm

@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @pahowho @WHOAFRO @DrTedros @UN_News_Centre @naokoy21 @DrMariaNeira The potential hazards associated with microplastics come in three forms:
-Physical particles
-Chemicals
-Microbial pathogens as part of biofilms

Available evidence states: chemicals & biofilms associated with microplastics in drinking-water pose a low concern for human health.

@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @pahowho @WHOAFRO @DrTedros @UN_News_Centre @naokoy21 @DrMariaNeira Further research should include:
💧Developing standard methods for measuring microplastic particles in water
💧More studies on the sources and occurrence of microplastics in fresh water
💧More studies on the efficacy of different treatment processes

📷EPA-EFE/ADOLFO ESPINOSA

@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @pahowho @WHOAFRO @DrTedros @UN_News_Centre @naokoy21 @DrMariaNeira WHO recommends drinking-water suppliers and regulators to prioritize removing microbial pathogens and chemicals that are known risks to human health, such as those causing deadly diarrhoeal diseases like cholera.
bit.ly/2Nz6d6H

@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @pahowho @WHOAFRO @DrTedros @UN_News_Centre @naokoy21 @DrMariaNeira Wastewater & drinking-water treatment systems that treat 💩 & chemicals are effective in removing microplastics:

💧Wastewater treatment can remove over 90%, mostly through filtration

💧Conventional drinking-water treatment can remove particles smaller than a micrometre

@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @pahowho @WHOAFRO @DrTedros @UN_News_Centre @naokoy21 @DrMariaNeira By addressing the problem of human exposure to 💩contaminated water, communities can simultaneously address the concern related to microplastics
👉bit.ly/2Nz6d6H

@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @pahowho @WHOAFRO @DrTedros @UN_News_Centre @naokoy21 @DrMariaNeira Worldwide:

💧2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking-water

💧4.2 billion people lack safely managed sanitation

Drinking water contaminated by faeces puts them at high risk of deadly diseases like cholera.