Our drinking water may look perfectly clear. But clear doesn't necessarily mean free from contaminants.
Two contaminants receiving increasing attention are microplastics and PFAS. They are very different substances, but they have something in common: both can find their way into the water we drink.
So, what exactly are they — and should we be concerned?
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic, generally smaller than 5 millimetres. Some are so small they can't be seen with the naked eye.
They come from the breakdown of larger plastic products, packaging, synthetic clothing, tyres and countless other sources.
Plastic doesn't simply disappear. Over time, it breaks down into increasingly smaller pieces.
These particles have now been detected throughout our environment — including oceans, soil, food and drinking water.
And bottled water isn't necessarily the solution.
Research has found micro- and nanoplastics in bottled water too, with plastic packaging itself potentially contributing particles to the water.
What are PFAS?
PFAS are something completely different.
They are a large family of synthetic chemicals that have been used for decades because of their resistance to water, grease and heat.
They can be found in everyday products such as:
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Non-stick cookware
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Water-resistant clothing
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Food packaging
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Cosmetics
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Stain-resistant fabrics
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Firefighting foams
PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because many of them break down extremely slowly.
Once released into the environment, they can persist for years and make their way into soil, groundwater and eventually drinking-water supplies.
Why should we be concerned?
Research into both microplastics and PFAS is continuing, and there is still a lot we don't know — particularly about the long-term effects of microplastic exposure.
PFAS have been studied much more extensively. Exposure to certain PFAS has been associated with effects on the immune system, cholesterol, liver, reproductive health and development, as well as increased risk of certain cancers.
With microplastics, researchers are investigating potential effects including inflammation, oxidative stress and disruption to hormone-related processes, although more research is needed to understand what everyday exposure means for human health.
The point isn't to panic.
It's to become more aware of what we're exposed to every day — and where we can reasonably reduce that exposure.
Reducing microplastics & PFAS from your drinking water
The good news is that the right filtration system can significantly reduce both.
Claii reduces up to 99.9% of microplastics and up to 95% of PFAS such as PFOA and PFOS from your drinking water.
Claii uses a ceramic gravity filter element combining a microscopic ceramic barrier with activated carbon and specialised filtration media.
The ceramic structure physically filters microscopic particles such as microplastics, while the filtration media help reduce chemical contaminants such as PFAS.
And unlike reverse osmosis, Claii does this while keeping naturally occurring minerals such as calcium and magnesium in your water.
Reducing what doesn't belong, while keeping what naturally does.
What about bottled water?
It can be tempting to think bottled water is the cleaner alternative. But switching from tap water to water stored in plastic doesn't necessarily solve the problem.
Studies have repeatedly detected plastic particles in bottled water. More recent research using advanced detection methods has also revealed large numbers of extremely small nanoplastic particles that earlier testing methods couldn't detect.
And every bottle comes with another consideration: plastic waste.
Filtering your drinking water at home can reduce reliance on single-use bottled water while also giving you greater control over the water you drink every day.
The water you drink every day
We think carefully about what we eat, what we put on our skin and increasingly about the materials we bring into our homes.
But water is something we consume throughout the day, every day — often without giving it much thought.
We can't completely avoid microplastics, PFAS or every other contaminant in our environment. But we can make conscious choices to reduce our exposure where possible.
The water you drink every day deserves a little more thought.