Clarifying the absence of evidence regarding human health risks to microplastic particles in drinking-water: High quality robust data wanted
Abstract
In a recently published article, Leslie and Depledge (2020) raise concerns regarding statements on the risk that microplastic particles represent to human health and which have been attributed to reports published by both the Science Academies’ Group, Science Advice for Policy (SAPEA) (part of the European Commission’s Science Advice Mechanism) and the World Health Organization (WHO) (SAPEA, 2019; WHO, 2019). Leslie and Depledge (2020), for instance, suggest that WHO (2019) conclude that there is ‘no evidence to indicate a human health concern.’ This statement, taken out of context from the WHO report (WHO, 2019), is then used to imply that the WHO conclude there is ‘no risk’ related to the exposure of microplastic particles (Leslie and Depledge, 2020). While, Leslie and Depledge (2020) highlight the importance of debate and systematic assessment of claims related to the assessment of risk, observations that we agree are important to highlight, there are a number of points raised in the article that require clarification. Specifically and most importantly, the WHO report (WHO, 2019) does not conclude that microplastics are safe. The report (WHO, 2019), however, does acknowledge that there are significant uncertainties related to the quality and breadth of available data pertaining to human exposure to microplastics in drinking-water and that our knowledge regarding both exposure and toxicological effects require the acquisition of more robust ‘evidence’. In an effort to help…
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