New Studies on Nano/Microplastics Released from Filtration Systems

Recent studies have shed new light on the emerging issue of nano and microplastics released from filtration systems, raising concerns about their potential impact on environmental and human health. As water treatment and filtration technologies become more widespread, researchers are increasingly focused on understanding whether these systems inadvertently contribute to plastic pollution by releasing tiny plastic particles into water sources. These particles, often too small to be seen with the naked eye, can be ingested by marine life, enter our drinking water, and accumulate in the food chain, posing significant health risks.  This evolving scientific landscape underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and innovative solutions to address the unintended consequences of plastic filtration, ensuring cleaner water and healthier ecosystems for future generations.

The latest research highlights the importance of evaluating the safety and effectiveness of current filtration technologies, as well as developing improved methods to prevent the release of these harmful particles.

Here are the top recent studies examining the issue of filtration contribution to micro and nanoplastic.

"Tracking Nanoplastics in Drinking Water: A New Frontier with the Combination of Dielectrophoresis and Raman Spectroscopy" (2025)

This study developed a new analytical method capable of detecting nanoplastics in drinking water at much lower concentrations than previous techniques. The authors emphasize that improved detection is necessary to determine whether treatment technologies, including RO systems, contribute particles to finished water.

"What's in Your Water? A Comparative Analysis of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Treated Drinking Water and Bottled Water" (2026)

Researchers from The Ohio State University compared treated drinking water and bottled water using advanced nanoplastic detection methods. While not specifically an RO study, the work found nanoplastics in both drinking water sources and highlighted the need to investigate treatment and packaging sources.

"Micro- and Nano-Plastics in Drinking Water: Threat or Hype? Critical State-of-the-Art Analysis of Risks and Approaches" (2025)

This comprehensive review discusses nanoplastics in drinking water systems and evaluates treatment technologies, including membrane filtration. The review notes that membrane aging and degradation are areas requiring further study as potential sources of plastic particle release.

"Regenerable Membrane Sensors for Ultrasensitive Nanoplastic Quantification" (2025)

Published in Environmental Science & Technology, this work introduced highly sensitive membrane-based sensors for detecting nanoplastics in environmental waters. While not specifically focused on RO, the technology may enable future studies to directly measure nanoplastic release from filtration membranes.

"Advanced Fabrication and Characterization of Thin-Film Composite Polyamide Membranes for Superior Performance in Reverse Osmosis Desalination" (2025)

This study examined the structure and durability of modern polyamide RO membranes. Although it did not measure nanoplastic release, it provides important information about membrane materials that could potentially generate nanoparticles under degradation or aging conditions.

"Science of the Total Environment" Ding et al., 2021

This review examined whether membrane technologies used in drinking water treatment—including RO, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, and microfiltration—can release microplastics and nanoplastics as membranes age and degrade. The authors concluded that membrane deterioration is a plausible source of plastic particle release and called for more research on quantifying these emissions. 

More Studies:

Bottled Water Contains Hundreds of Thousands of Microscopic Plastic Pieces

Qian et al., 2024, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (reported by AP)
Researchers found approximately 240,000 plastic particles per liter in bottled water, most of them nanoplastics. Notably, some particles were identified as polyamide, the primary material used in many RO membranes, leading researchers to suggest that RO filtration could be one source of these particles. However, the study did not directly test membrane shedding in RO systems.

Degradation of Polyamide Nanofiltration and Reverse Osmosis Membranes by Hypochlorite

Do et al., 2012, Environmental Science & Technology
This study demonstrated that chlorine exposure can chemically degrade polyamide RO membranes. While the researchers focused on membrane performance and structural damage rather than nanoplastic release, the work provides a mechanistic basis for how membrane fragments could potentially form under harsh operating conditions.

Deterioration Mechanism of a Tertiary Polyamide Reverse Osmosis Membrane by Hypochlorite

Hashiba et al., 2019, Environmental Science & Technology
This follow-up work further characterized the degradation pathways of polyamide RO membranes exposed to oxidants. The findings showed significant polymer deterioration and structural changes that could theoretically contribute to particle shedding as membranes age.

Exploring PFAS Presence and Potential Leaching from Reverse Osmosis Membranes

Sadia et al., 2024, ACS Environmental Science & Technology
Although this study focused on PFAS rather than nanoplastics, it demonstrated that RO membranes can leach membrane-associated chemicals into treated water. The authors found measurable PFAS release from commercial RO membranes, highlighting that membrane materials are not always completely inert and reinforcing the need to evaluate other potential membrane-derived contaminants, including nanoparticles.

Key Takeaways

• RO is still one of the most effective technologies for removing microplastics and nanoplastics that are already present in water.
• A few recent studies suggest that polyamide particles found in treated water may originate from RO membranes, but direct proof of significant nanoplastic release from household RO systems remains limited. Dr. Hulda Clark found traces of contaminants in RO water, and refused to recommend it as opposed to distilled or spring water. 
• Membrane degradation due to chlorine, oxidation, fouling, and aging is well documented, providing a plausible mechanism for particle generation.