New survey finds nearly nine in ten Americans have concerns about microplastics in their drinking water. Our Claryum® under sink and countertop filters are tested and certified to remove up to 99.6% of microplastics from tap water.
Did you know that the U.S. is the world’s leading contributor of plastic waste? Americans buy nearly 50 billion water bottles each year and throw away more than 60 million bottles per day, yet only 5% of all household plastic waste is recycled. It’s estimated that one-third of all plastic waste in the U.S. ends up in soils or freshwater. Most of it disintegrates into particles smaller than five millimeters long – known as microplastics – which take at least 450 years to decompose, if ever. As a result, microplastics are found everywhere, including in bottled water and 94% of tap water in America.
Studies show that bottled water contains excessive amounts, reportedly 50% more than tap water. One report found up to 10,000 pieces of microplastic in a single bottle of one of the leading bottled water brands in the U.S. Scientists estimate that Americans consume around 5 grams of microplastics each week, the weight equivalent of eating 12 plastic straws. Microplastics have been linked to a number of health hazards, but the full health implications are still relatively unknown. It’s enough to cause unease: In April 2023, we surveyed 2,414 U.S. adults and found that nearly nine in ten Americans (89%) are at least somewhat concerned about microplastics in their drinking water.
“Aquasana has been committed to helping reduce single-use plastic waste for more than two decades,” said Derek Mellencamp, general manager of Aquasana. “In addition to replacing up to 12,000 disposable plastic bottles of water per year, our high-performance under sink and countertop water filters are now certified to reduce up to 99.6% of microplastics from tap water for cleaner, healthier drinking water at home – helping reduce the amount of plastic we use as well as the amount of plastic we consume.”
According to our survey, the vast majority of Americans are at least somewhat familiar with microplastics (93%) as a pollutant. While nearly nine in ten Americans said they’re at least somewhat concerned about microplastics in their drinking water, it’s the younger generations who will inherit the repercussions from the compounding plastic pollution crisis who indicated the most distress. Per the survey results, Gen Z and Millennials are 29% more likely than Gen X and Baby Boomers to say they are concerned about microplastics being in their drinking water (44% vs. 34%). Unsurprisingly, parents are also 23% more likely than non-parents to say they are “very concerned” about microplastics in their drinking water (27% vs. 22%).
“It’s clear that Americans are paying attention to microplastics and their impact on the environment and our well-being,” added Mellencamp. “Aquasana remains committed to leading the charge in identifying and becoming certified to remove harmful contaminants as they emerge, from PFOA/PFOS to lead, microplastics and beyond.”
Our Claryum® filtration technology removes up to 99.9% of 78 contaminants, including lead, the “forever chemicals” PFOA/PFOS, asbestos, pharmaceuticals, herbicides, pesticides, mercury, chlorine, chloramines and more. Our under sink and countertop filters are now tested and certified to remove 99.6% of microplastics from tap water at home. This includes our award-winning Clean Water Machine, which instantly removes 15 times more contaminants than the leader pitcher filter, five times faster, at the push of a button – zero installation required. Also included is the OptimH2O® Reverse Osmosis + Claryum® which combines Claryum® and RO technologies to now reduce 89 contaminants with the addition of microplastics.
Survey Methodology and Definitions
The findings presented in this article are the result of an April 2023 study of 2,414 U.S. adults, conducted by Aquasana. (Confidence Level: 95%, Margin of Error: 2%)
Demographic Definitions
Age Cohorts (based on Pew Research)
We live in a plastic world, but your home doesn’t have to be a part of it. Here’s some helpful information about microplastics and how to filter them from your water.
Find out the differences between microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis to determine which option is best for your home.
When determining whether to drink tap or bottled water, what factors should you consider and which option is best for you? This analysis can help you decide.
