Par
Maréva Laville
Published on
Jan 17, 2025 at 6:04 a.m.
Could water be more toxic than we think? Toulouse follows in the footsteps of Martres-Tolosane, a commune in Haute-Garonne singled out last September for its worrying level of eternal pollutants in drinking water. But no eternal pollutants this time. Everyone has their own problem…
Water filled with tiny plastic particles
The Haut-Garonne capital takes home a sad trophy for microplastics. According to a recent study carried out by researchers at National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and of the University of Toulousethe water we drink, whether bottled or straight from the tap, is filled with tiny plastic particles, invisible to the naked eye.
Straight from the tap and mineral water bottles
This observation results directly from the analysis of tap water from Toulouse, but also ten brands of bottle of mineral waterwhich the CNRS did not wish to reveal.
In these eleven samples, the researchers detected concentrations from 19 to 1,154 microplastics per liter. Among the 17 types of polymers identified, such as polyethylene, polypropylene or even polyamide – common in the manufacture of industrial objects, to cite just one example – the type of plastic used in the manufacture of bottles does not was present “only” in seven of the ten brands analyzed, and often in small proportions.
“What is interesting is to see that it is not so much the container that brings these microplastics, but the industrial process and the direct capture of the water. This shows that our water is marked by human activities, and even upstream of industrial processes,” notes Gaël Le Roux, one of the scientists contacted by Toulouse news.
We know that the water of the Garonne contains microplastics.
A potential health risk
But is it dangerous? For the moment, it remains complicated to associate this high rate of microplastic to any danger. “We lack perspective. We only analyzed one sample of Toulouse water and a few brands of water bottle,” concedes Gaël Le Roux.
He also reassures: “thehealth impact compared to other pollution is low, but it deserves greater investigations, particularly on how microplastics could pass intestinal barriers. » The small size of these particles could allow them to'reach the circulatory system and organs.
Particles too small to be treated
Because that’s the problem. These particles are so small that they “evade current detections due to their small size”, warns the CNRS. “And since they are very fine, they are not treated »adds scientist Gaël Le Roux.
According to researchers, 98% of microplastics detected in drinking water measure less than 20 micrometersa threshold not covered by European Directive 2020/2184, “which could considerably underestimate their presence and their health risks”, warn the researchers.
The CNRS offers a solution
But there remains a glimmer of hope. Thanks to these six months of research, scientists are proposing a new method for identifying these particles and “them.” discriminate these microplastics from our water.”
“It can be done!” », rejoices Gaël Le Roux, who already sees the quest for nanoplastics in water as the next step. With the common goal: to drink healthy water, at least, as much as possible.
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