Plastic microfibers have been found in tap water on five continents, according to a study by the journalistic NGO Orb Media in collaboration with the State University of New York and the University of Minnesota. Exactly how these 2.5-micron fibers affect our bodies is unknown at this time, but they are proof of the ubiquity of plastic in our environment – ​​however, the particles are also present in bread and other foods, bottled water or filtered water at home –.

83% of 159 samples tested in more than one a dozen countries – including Europe, the US, Ecuador, Indonesia or Uganda – contain microparticles, and none of the countries analyzed escapes having at least 72% of samples contaminated. In the US, the proportion is 94%.

The size of the fibers is small, 2.5 micrometers. The highest amount of microplastics per 500ml sample has been found in the US, with an average of 4.8 fragments, and the lowest amount, in Europe and Indonesia, with an average of 1.9 fragments. A previous study published by The Guardian also warned of the presence of microfibers in sea salt, noting the presence of microplastics in ocean water, fish, food, beer, honey, sugar, or same air.