A greater concentration of NMPs was removed from samples of hard tap water, which naturally forms a build-up of limescale (or calcium carbonate) as it is heated. Commonly seen inside kitchen kettles, the chalky substance forms on the plastic's surface as changes in temperature force the calcium carbonate out of solution, effectively trapping the plastic fragments in a crust.
Even in soft water, where less calcium carbonate is dissolved, roughly a quarter of the NMPs were snagged from the water. Any bits of lime-encrusted plastic could then be removed through a simple filter like the stainless steel mesh used to strain tea, the researchers say.
to my edit:
more NMPs were filtered from hard water than soft, because the limescale in hard water naturally accumulates on NMPs, making them bigger and easier to filter.
ok I just found out there actually was a study link, on the caption of the 2nd picture
most of the time these articles never even include it, but even this one could just be linked at the very top
There was a microplastics article a year ago which warned people not to drink rainwater due to the microplastics in the air (made no mention of how that compares to natural MP concentration in tap water)
I read the primary source awhile ago and the methods in the paper aren't very practical or effective unless you have very hard water in your area. It can be built up on and improved, but better alternatives exist for most people.
Use a reverse osmosis system if you are really worried about it.
Yes, this is it exactly. Though if you put a dense-enough book under your pillow, you can also absorb the contents to your brain. I suggest sleeping directly in the book as the cover acts as a permeable barrier.
It's all about shifting an equilibrium in the desired direction.