Microplastics are already in our blood

From Cocos Island to the human body: what Costa Rican science discovered and what you can do to protect your family.

THE PROBLEM

An invisible invasion that reached the most remote places

If you thought microplastics were a problem in distant oceans, Costa Rican science has just confirmed something that changes that perception. Researchers from CIMAR at UCR and the Marine Coastal Studies Laboratory at UNA found these particles in over 70% of the analyzed samples, including beaches, seabeds, fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and poultry.

But the most striking finding came from Cocos Island: one of the most protected ecosystems in Costa Rica and the world already has microplastics in hard-to-reach areas, rivers, and marine organisms.

Experts are blunt: if microplastics reached Cocos Island, virtually no ecosystem is free. That includes the water that comes out of your tap.

WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?

Sources you didn't imagine

Microplastics are fragments less than 5 millimeters in size. Some are born small —like microbeads in cosmetics—; others are bottles, bags, and fishing nets that the sun, water, and time break down until they become invisible.

Costa Rican researchers identified these main sources:

Magie Rodríguez from MarViva points out that much of this contamination ends up in the sea, carried by rain, streams, and rivers. But before reaching there, it passes through the hydrographic basins that feed drinking water systems.

IMPACT ON HEALTH

They are already inside us

What do they do to the body?

The available evidence already associates exposure to plastic compounds with the following health effects:

• Endocrine (hormone) disruptions
• Fertility problems in men and women
• Chronic inflammatory processes
• Possible neurological effects (presence detected in the brain)

Experts are clear: the existing evidence is already sufficient to justify preventive actions. There's no need to wait for more studies to act.

Furthermore, microplastics don't come alone. According to Juan Sagot from CIMAR, their surfaces absorb hydrocarbons, pesticides, and other compounds present in the environment, becoming chemical vehicles directly into your organism.

THE SOLUTION IN YOUR HOME

Which filters really work?

Not all water filters retain microplastics. The key is pore size: to capture these particles, very high-precision membranes are needed. Here's a clear comparison:

The good news: the most effective technologies are accessible and easily installed under your kitchen sink. At Hidroteco, we have options for every family budget.

 Prices subject to change; please check the store for updated values.