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Microscopic plastic found in drinking water

Posted at 4:38 PM, Sep 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-06 17:38:14-04

Plastic in the water you're drinking today? That's right a new study shows that all over the country microscopic plastic is showing up in drinking water. 

A study by the data journalism website Orb Media found plastic in 94% of the water it tested in the United States.

Microplastics have been shown to absorb toxic chemicals linked to cancer.

Then they release them when consumed by fish and humans. 

Scientists say these microscopic fibers might start out in clothes, upholstery, and carpets. They can get released, for example, when we wash or dry our clothes.

The researchers say they can also get into your home's tap water if the water treatment plant is contaminated.

The researchers, which also included a partnership with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, say no specific methods exist for filtering these plastics.

They were also found in bottled water the group tested.