What are microplastics? Are microplastics bad for me?

This is a common and important question—especially with increasing concerns about plastics and water safety.

Microplastics can be either intentionally manufactured for certain purposes (like microbeads in cosmetics) or result from the breakdown of larger plastic items due to weathering, material breakage, and mechanical forces. Microplastics can also come from synthetic fibers shedding off from textiles during washing and use.

Here’s some information to help clarify:

Material Safety & Selection

Our engineers and R&D teams carefully select materials that balance safety, durability, and longevity. All components that come in contact with water, including our pitcher, dispenser, and housing materials, are made from SMMA, which is BPA-free and chosen specifically because it does not leach harmful chemicals into the water. Over time, we’ve updated materials in response to emerging data and evolving safety standards.

Rigorous Testing Standards

LifeStraw products undergo testing in accredited laboratories and are further verified by independent, third-party labs. This gives us confidence that the materials used are safe and not leaching harmful substances. In addition, our products meet or exceed the standards set by the U.S. FDA, EU regulations, NSF, and California Prop 65 for materials used in drinking water applications.

Plastics & Product Design

Using plastic remains a complex challenge. While we are actively exploring sustainable alternatives, some materials—like those used in our membrane filters—currently don’t have viable replacements without compromising function, durability, or user experience. We know this is a concern for many customers, and we’re committed to continuing innovation in this area.

The LifeStraw membrane microfilter used in our LifeStraw Home Pitchers and Dispensers was tested for removal of microplastic particles from drinking water following NSF/ANSI 401 and showed that our filters exceeded the reduction requirement. Evidence Dossier for Home