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Microplastics in Drinking Water

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Microplastics in Drinking Water: The Complete Guide

Introduction: a discovery that really struck us

To filter microplastics out of drinking water, the most reliable solution to date is a microporous ceramic filter (0.2 microns) combined with plant-based activated carbon: by mechanically blocking the particles, this type of filter achieved total removal in a test carried out by an independent laboratory. In other words, filtering your tap water with a suitable system is now a more reliable option than turning to bottled water, which is itself often contaminated.

Aurélie and I have always paid close attention to the quality of what we eat and drink. Organic food, sprouted seeds, seaweed, superfoods... Recently, in early 2025, we came across a study by the CNRS in Toulouse that literally sent shivers down our spines. The subject of tap water deserved a serious look.

Toulouse tap water reportedly contains an average of 413 microplastic particles per litre. 413 particles! And that's not all: 98% of these particles measure less than 20 microns, which means they are not even detected under current European standards. Basically, our water is declared "drinkable" even though it contains thousands of plastic particles invisible to the naked eye. Polluted tap water is becoming a reality that few people are aware of.

Can you imagine swallowing the equivalent of a plastic credit card every week? According to the WWF, that is exactly what happens. Honestly, it gives you pause. This drinking water pollution affects all of us, every day, without our even realising it.

But here's the thing, and this is where it gets really interesting: we also discovered that solutions exist, natural, effective and scientifically proven. How can you filter tap water naturally? That is precisely the question we asked ourselves. So no need to panic, just clear information and practical steps you can put in place.

In this article, I'm going to share with you what we have learned about microplastics in water, the real health risks (without scaremongering), and above all the solutions we have tested and adopted at Biovie. Because can you drink tap water safely? The answer is more nuanced than you might think.

Microplastics in water: the situation in France (2025)

What exactly are microplastics?

In concrete terms, microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres. Most are even invisible to the naked eye, measuring less than 20 microns (to give you an idea, a human hair is about 70 microns thick).

Where do they come from? Everywhere, unfortunately:

  • The breakdown of plastic bottles, bags and packaging
  • Synthetic textiles that release fibres with every wash
  • Cosmetics (some exfoliants contain microbeads)
  • Car tyre wear
  • Road surfaces

Five main types of polymer are found: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS) and polyamide (PA). Barbaric names hiding a simple reality: plastic in our water.

The situation in France in 2025

The CNRS Toulouse study published in January 2025 was a real wake-up call for the scientific community. The researchers analysed local tap water and compared it with 10 brands of bottled water sold in France.

The results are eye-opening:

  • Toulouse tap water: 413 particles per litre
  • Bottled water: between 19 and 1,154 particles per litre depending on the brand
  • The paradox: 8 brands out of 10 contained MORE microplastics than tap water

That is why this discovery struck us: people buy water in plastic bottles (well, not us, we never buy any) thinking they are avoiding tap water "pollution", and end up increasing their exposure to microplastics. The danger of plastic bottles is very real, contrary to popular belief.

But that's not all. Another major finding of the study published in the journal PLOS Water in January 2025 shows that 98% of the microplastics present in drinking water measure less than 20 microns. And guess what? Current European standards ONLY detect particles between 20 microns and 5 millimetres. Basically, 98% of microplastics fly completely under the radar of official checks. Tap water contaminants are therefore not limited to what official analyses detect.

The bottled water illusion

We have always preferred to filter tap water before drinking it, for obvious environmental reasons (less plastic, less transport). But many of our customers asked us whether bottled water contains microplastics and whether it wasn't "safer".

Recent studies show exactly the opposite.

In 2022, the association Agir pour l'Environnement analysed the 9 best-selling brands of bottled water in France. The result: 7 out of 9 contained microplastics, with concentrations ranging from 1 to 121 particles per litre.

The record is held by... Vittel Kids. Yes, you read that right: the water specifically marketed for children contained 121 microplastic particles per litre. Ironic and worrying at the same time.

  • 9 brands of bottled water tested (Agir pour l'Environnement study, 2022)
  • 7 brands out of 9 contained microplastics
  • Concentrations measured: from 1 to 121 particles per litre depending on the brand
  • Vittel Kids, top of the ranking, with 121 particles per litre

But the worst is an American study by Columbia University and Rutgers published in 2024, which detected an average of 240,000 fragments per litre in bottled water, 90% of them nanoplastics (even smaller than microplastics, less than 1 micron). These particles are so small that they cross every cellular barrier.

The problem? The bottle itself. Every time you open, close, carry or leave a bottle in the sun, the plastic releases particles into the water. The longer the bottle is stored, the more contaminated the water becomes. Tap water vs bottled water: microplastics? The verdict is clear: filtered tap water is undeniably safer.

The bottled water illusion

The impact of microplastics on human health

The 7 body systems affected

In reality, I am deeply convinced that we have not yet fully grasped the scale of the problem. Research on microplastics is relatively recent (the first serious studies date from 2015-2016), but the data are piling up and they are worrying.

Here is what science has documented so far:

1. Cardiovascular system

A 2024 Italian study led by Dr Parvaiz Koul in Naples showed that people with microplastics in their carotid arteries have a 4.5 times higher risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack. 4.5 times! That is no small matter.

2. Digestive system

Microplastics create chronic inflammation of the intestinal wall. Worse still, they disrupt our microbiota (those precious bacteria that help us digest and defend ourselves). Dr Muriel Mercier-Bonin of INRAE explains it clearly: "Microplastics cross the intestinal barrier and enter the bloodstream, migrating to secondary organs." 

3. Reproductive system

Several studies show a correlation between exposure to microplastics and reduced fertility, in both men and women. The endocrine disruption caused by certain plastic additives (phthalates, bisphenol A) makes the problem worse.

4. Nervous system

This may be the most worrying figure: between 2016 and 2024, the concentration of microplastics in the human brain increased by 50%. In just 8 years! Researchers found particles in brain tissue during autopsies.

5. Skeletal system

Preliminary studies show a weakening of bone structure linked to the accumulation of microplastics in bone marrow.

6. Endocrine system

Microplastics act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with our hormones (thyroid, reproduction, growth).

7. Immune system

The chronic inflammation caused by microplastics creates permanent oxidative stress that weakens our immune defences.

Present in all our organs

Frankly, the list is long and depressing. Microplastics have been found in: blood, the brain, the liver, the kidneys, the lungs, the heart, the placenta, amniotic fluid, the testicles and even bone marrow.

What strikes me most is that newborn babies are already born with microplastics in their bodies. They are exposed from life in the womb, via the placenta. What a legacy we are leaving them...

The special case of PFAS

While we are talking about pollutants in water, we absolutely have to mention PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). They are something like the silent accomplice of microplastics.

PFAS, nicknamed "forever chemicals", are chemical compounds that have been used since the 1940s in thousands of products: food packaging, waterproof textiles, non-stick pans, cosmetics, firefighting foams...

What makes them special? They NEVER break down naturally. Once released into the environment, they stay there for centuries. And they massively contaminate our drinking water.

In France, the 2023 analysis carried out by Le Monde and Générations Futures revealed that:

  • 17,000 sites in France are contaminated with PFAS
  • 34 million French people drink water exceeding the recommended thresholds
  • 84% of the watercourses analysed contain PFAS
  • Concentrations range from 10 ng/L to 1,500 ng/L depending on the region

PFAS build up in our bodies and cause: cancers (kidney, testicles), fertility problems, thyroid disruption, high cholesterol, weakened immunity, and complications in pregnancy.

The catch? Conventional treatment plants DO NOT FILTER OUT PFAS. They pass straight through and contaminate the drinking water supplied to homes. That's why filtering tap water is becoming a health necessity, not just a trend.

Solutions for removing microplastics: what (really) works

So how do you actually filter out microplastics? A microporous ceramic filter combined with activated carbon blocks particles by a simple mechanical effect, with no electricity and no wasted water. It is the solution we use at home; its manufacturer had it tested by an independent laboratory (detailed results below).

The manufacturer's laboratory test: EcoFiltro versus microplastics

In February 2025, the manufacturer of EcoFiltro had the independent laboratory Measurlabs (Finland) carry out a test on its water filter EcoFiltro, which we sell. The aim? To check its effectiveness against microplastics.

The test protocol was as follows:

  • Contaminant: Polystyrene (particles of 2-50 microns)
  • Initial concentration: 1,000 particles/L
  • Volume tested: 5 litres of water
  • Detection method: Raman infrared spectroscopy
  • Laboratory: Measurlabs (ISO 17025 accredited)

The results genuinely blew us away:

  • Before filtration: 1,000 particles/L (artificially contaminated water)
  • After EcoFiltro filtration: 0 particles detected
  • Effectiveness: 100% removal
  • Recovery rate: 88.4% (a measure of the test's reliability)

Zero particles. Zero. It's exactly what we were hoping for, but seeing the official results from an independent laboratory changes everything. We are no longer talking about marketing promises, but about tangible scientific evidence.

Eric VIARD

ISTOM engineer (tropical agronomy) · Founder of Biovie

16 November 2025

Updated on 11 October 2026

18 min read

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How does ceramic filtration work?

The secret of EcoFiltro lies in its triple-action technology:

1. Microporous ceramic (0.2 microns)

Natural ceramic contains millions of microscopic pores 0.2 microns in diameter. To give you an idea, that is 100 times smaller than a human hair.

The result? All microplastics (which measure between 1 and 5,000 microns) are physically blocked. They simply cannot pass through the ceramic pores. It's mechanical and unbeatable.

2. Plant-based activated carbon

Made from coconut shells, activated carbon acts like a molecular sponge. It absorbs PFAS, pesticides, chlorine, heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.

According to the tests published by the manufacturer (Measurlabs, December 2024), long-chain PFAS (PFOS, PFOA) are reduced by about 99%, but short-chain PFAS by only 55 to 75%, and TFA was not tested. This is not total removal as with reverse osmosis.

3. Natural colloidal silver

Built into the ceramic, colloidal silver prevents bacteria from multiplying inside the filter. No mould, no biological contamination. The water stays pure even after several days in the reservoir.

The alternatives: advantages and limitations

To be completely transparent, there are other solutions for filtering tap water. Here is an honest comparison based on our research and our customers' feedback:

Filter jugs (standard)

  • Advantages: Affordable price (€20-40), easy to find, compact
  • Limitations: Pores too large (50-100 microns), so ineffective against 98% of microplastics (those under 20 microns), do NOT remove PFAS, plastic cartridges (the irony...), slow flow
  • Verdict: Best avoided if your goal is to remove microplastics and PFAS. They simply improve the taste by removing chlorine.

Reverse osmosis

  • Advantages: Maximum effectiveness (removes 95-99% of EVERYTHING: microplastics, PFAS, metals, bacteria, viruses), proven technology
  • Limitations: High price (€300-1,200 for installation + €50-100/year maintenance), significant water waste (discards 3-4 litres for every 1 litre filtered), requires electricity, bulky, demineralised water (it needs remineralising)
  • Verdict: A premium solution, but overkill for normal household use. Best kept for heavily polluted areas or specific needs (aquariums, laboratories).

Ceramic gravity filters (EcoFiltro)

  • Advantages: 100% of the polystyrene microplastics tested retained and about 99% of long-chain PFAS (55 to 75% for short-chain PFAS), according to the manufacturer's tests, self-sufficient (no electricity), eco-friendly (natural materials, long lifespan of 5-10 years), good value for money (~€180 upfront + €30/year maintenance), elegant design
  • Limitations: Gravity flow (1-2 L/hour), needs worktop space, ceramic cleaning every 2-3 months (cold water + soft brush)
  • Verdict: The best balance of effectiveness, price and ecology for 95% of French households. It has been our personal choice for years.

The full range Water filters

At Biovie, the Ecofiltro water filter filters tap water without electricity or disposable cartridges, thanks to a gravity-fed system of clay, activated carbon and colloidal silver, laboratory tested (99% of PFAS and pharmaceutical residues removed, 100% of polystyrene microplastics). The range also includes the Aquapro shower filter (anti-limescale, anti-chlorine), the Naturalizer tap replacement, and the Water to Go portable filter bottle. Choose the 5 L Ecofiltro for a household of 1 to 2 people, or the 20 L for a family; the clay filter itself only needs replacing every 2 years, without generating electronic waste or disposable plastic cartridges., 20 products

Discover the full range
Discover our category Water filters

Tap-mounted filters

  • Advantages: Easy installation, compact, instant flow
  • Limitations: Effectiveness varies widely between models (many do NOT remove microplastics < 20 microns or PFAS), plastic cartridges, short lifespan (2-3 months), high annual cost (€60-120/year)
  • Verdict: ALWAYS check the certifications (pore size, PFAS tests). There is a lot of greenwashing in this category.

Solutions for removing microplastics

Limiting your exposure day to day

Let's be clear: once inside the body, microplastics cannot be "flushed out". They are solid, inert particles that accumulate, and no food or supplement removes them.

The lever that really counts, then, is to drastically reduce daily exposure: filter the water you drink, and limit contact between your food and plastic.

Organic spirulina

This micro-alga is rich in chlorophyll and in phycocyanin, the blue pigment that gives it its colour. In our house, spirulina is part of the morning ritual, with a large glass of filtered water. It does not remove microplastics from the body: it is simply part of a varied diet.

Usual amount: 3 to 5 g a day (about 1 heaped teaspoon of powder), preferably in the morning with a large glass of filtered water.

Staying well hydrated

Drinking 2 to 3 litres of water a day is the basic habit.

But careful: not just any water. Drink filtered water, so you don't add new microplastics with every glass!

Our complete "Pure water" routine

Here is exactly what we have been doing at home for years, and what I recommend without hesitation:

Step 1: install a ceramic filter (EcoFiltro)

  • Place it on the kitchen worktop (within easy reach)
  • Fill the reservoir with tap water
  • Let it filter by gravity (1-2 h for 8 L)
  • Pure water available at all times

Step 2: daily hydration

  • Drink 2-3 L of filtered water a day
  • Start the day with 500 ml on an empty stomach
  • Always keep a stainless steel water bottle within reach

Step 3: morning spirulina

  • 1 tsp of organic spirulina powder in a glass of water
  • Every morning on an empty stomach
  • Every day, with filtered water

Step 4: monthly maintenance

  • Clean the ceramic with a soft brush + cold water (every 2-3 months)
  • Wash the reservoir with soapy water (once a month)
  • Replace the activated carbon (once a year or as advised by the manufacturer)

Step 5: reduce plastic exposure

  • Replace plastic bottles with a stainless steel or glass bottle
  • Avoid reheating food in plastic (microwave)
  • Choose glass or stainless steel containers for storage
  • Buy loose products whenever possible

It's simply a matter of getting into the habit. At first, you have to think about it. Then it becomes automatic. And honestly, the taste of filtered water compared with water straight from the tap... there's no comparison! We could never go back.

Frequently asked questions about microplastics in water

Q1: Are microplastics really dangerous to health?

Yes, recent scientific data (2024-2025) clearly show the health risks. Microplastics are not inert, as was once thought. They cause chronic inflammation in our organs, disrupt our endocrine system (hormones), and accumulate in all our tissues (blood, brain, liver, kidneys, heart, placenta). The study by Dr Parvaiz Koul (Naples, 2024) even showed that the presence of microplastics in the carotid arteries multiplies the risk of stroke or heart attack by 4.5. It is documented, it is real. Not in the sense of "you are going to die tomorrow" but in the sense of "chronic exposure = cumulative risks over 20-30 years". The precautionary principle applies: reduce your daily exposure as much as possible by filtering your water and avoiding food-contact plastics.

Q2: Is tap water more contaminated than bottled water?

No, in fact it is often the other way round! The CNRS Toulouse study (January 2025) revealed a shocking paradox: 8 brands of bottled water out of 10 contained MORE microplastics than tap water. Average concentration: 413 particles/L for Toulouse tap water, compared with 19 to 1,154 particles/L for the bottled waters tested. Worse still: the American Columbia-Rutgers study (2024) detected an average of 240,000 fragments/L in bottles, 90% of them nanoplastics (< 1 micron). The problem? The plastic bottle itself releases particles into the water, especially if it is stored for a long time or exposed to heat. My frank advice: stop buying water in plastic bottles. Filter your tap water with an effective ceramic system (such as EcoFiltro), and you will have much purer water AND make a major environmental gesture.

Q3: How can I tell if my water contains microplastics?

It is impossible to detect without analysis in a specialist laboratory. Microplastics are invisible to the naked eye (98% measure less than 20 microns, i.e. 3 times smaller than a hair). No taste, no smell, no colour. That is exactly the problem: you drink hundreds of particles without realising it. Official drinking water analyses do not even detect them (outdated European standards that ignore particles < 20 microns). The only practical solution: assume that ALL tap water and ALL bottled water contains microplastics (studies by the CNRS, Columbia and Agir pour l'Environnement confirm this), and therefore filter systematically with a certified, effective system. The independent test that the manufacturer had Measurlabs carry out in February 2025 detected no polystyrene microplastic particles after filtration through EcoFiltro. Always ask for this kind of report before choosing a filter.

Q4: What are the effects of microplastics on the human body?

Microplastics affect 7 major systems of the human body, with scientifically documented effects:

  • Cardiovascular: risk of stroke or heart attack ×4.5 if present in the carotid arteries (Dr Koul study, Naples 2024)
  • Digestive: chronic intestinal inflammation + disruption of the microbiota (Dr Mercier-Bonin, INRAE)
  • Reproductive: reduced fertility + endocrine disruption (phthalates, bisphenol A)
  • Nervous: +50% concentration in the brain between 2016 and 2024 (exponential accumulation)
  • Skeletal: weakening of bone structure (preliminary studies)
  • Endocrine: hormone disruption (thyroid, reproduction, growth)
  • Immune: oxidative stress + permanent chronic inflammation

Sources: INSERM, CNRS, WHO, Prof. Tracey Woodruff (University of California). Nanoplastics (< 1 μm) cross every cellular barrier and accumulate in our organs: blood, brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, placenta, testicles, bone marrow. Newborn babies are already contaminated at birth via the placenta. Prevention: reduce exposure (filter your water and avoid food-contact plastics).

Q5: What is the best filter for removing microplastics and PFAS?

For microplastics alone: a ceramic filter (0.2-0.5 μm) such as EcoFiltro = 100% of polystyrene microplastics retained in the tests commissioned by the manufacturer (Measurlabs, February 2025). For PFAS + microplastics at the same time: a combined ceramic + activated carbon system. EcoFiltro contains both: according to the manufacturer's tests, it reduces long-chain PFAS by about 99%, but short-chain PFAS by only 55 to 75%. For maximum removal of EVERYTHING (PFAS > 95%, microplastics 99%, metals, chlorine): reverse osmosis, but it is expensive (€300-1,200) and wastes water (70-80%). Which filter removes PFAS and microplastics effectively? Our frank recommendation: EcoFiltro = the best balance of effectiveness, price and ecology. Price: ~€180 upfront + €30/year maintenance. Natural materials (ceramic, plant-based activated carbon, colloidal silver), zero plastic waste, self-sufficient (gravity, no electricity), lasts 5-10 years. Definitely avoid: standard filter jugs (pores of 50-100 μm) = ineffective against 98% of microplastics (< 20 μm) AND against PFAS.

Q6: Can you still drink tap water safely?

A nuanced answer: French tap water meets the 63 European drinking water criteria and is generally safe for immediate consumption. BUT it has significant limitations:

  • (1) Outdated standards: they do not detect microplastics < 20 μm (98% of the total), low doses of PFAS, pharmaceutical residues or endocrine disruptors.
  • (2) Geographical variation: high chlorine in urban areas, pesticides in farming areas, old pipes (lead, copper) in older neighbourhoods.
  • (3) Average monitoring: occasional local analyses, no continuous real-time monitoring.

Verdict: drinkable ≠ pure. Low acute health risk in the short term (no immediate danger), but chronic exposure to micro-contaminants (microplastics, PFAS, chlorine, residues) remains questionable in the long term (10-20-30 years). My personal recommendation after 15 years of Biovie experience: apply the precautionary principle and filter at home = maximum safety without buying plastic bottles. Worried your tap water is unsafe, what can you do? Install a quality ceramic filter = a simple, economical, eco-friendly solution. It's exactly what we have been doing at home for years, and honestly, the taste of filtered water compared with water straight from the tap... there's no comparison!

Q7: Which bottled water brands contain the most microplastics?

The 2022 Agir pour l'Environnement study of 9 brands sold in France found microplastics in 7 brands out of 9, with concentrations ranging from 1 to 121 particles per litre. Vittel Kids, the water marketed for children, came top with 121 particles per litre. The full comparison with tap water is set out earlier in the article.

Q8: Is a tap-mounted filter enough against microplastics?

It depends entirely on the model. Many tap-mounted filters do not remove microplastics smaller than 20 microns or PFAS, and their plastic cartridge has to be replaced every 2 to 3 months. Before choosing one, check its certifications for filtered pore size and PFAS tests: this is a category where greenwashing is still common.

Conclusion: self-reliance, health, ecology

So there you have it, I've shared with you everything we have learned about microplastics in water over the past few months. Honestly, at first it discouraged us a little. Yet another environmental and health problem to discover... Yet another source of worry...

But in reality, I am deeply convinced that knowing means being able to act. And acting means taking back control.

When we installed our EcoFiltro filtration system at home, we felt real relief. We knew we were doing something concrete to protect our health and that of our loved ones. Just pure water, available at home, as much as we want.

It's simply a different state of mind: moving from passivity ("there's nothing we can do about it anyway") to self-reliance ("I'm taking charge of my health").

The solutions exist. They are natural, accessible and scientifically proven. Whether it's ceramic filtration for your water or a more plant-based, more living plate, the cards are in your hands.

So what Aurélie and I have been doing for years - filtering our water, adopting a living-food diet, including superfoods - you can do too. And even better: today you have access to recent scientific evidence (2024-2025 studies) and independent tests (Measurlabs) that we did not have when we started.

Just give it a try. At worst, you will have water that tastes incredible and a few fewer plastic bottles in your bin. At best, you will be protecting your health and your family's for decades to come.

Updated: October 2026. Article approved by Éric Viard, founder of Biovie and ISTOM engineer, co-author of « Algues au quotidien » (Gallimard, 2024) - Best Cookbook in the World, Gourmand Cookbook Awards 2025, and Best Cookbook in France, Académie Nationale de Cuisine 2025.

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