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In a recently published article, Leslie and Depledge (2020) raise concerns regarding statements on the risk that microplastic particles represent to human health and which have been attributed to reports published by both the Science Academies’ Group, Science Advice for Policy (SAPEA) (part of the European Commission’s Science Advice Mechanism) and the World Health Organization (WHO) (SAPEA, 2019; WHO, 2019). Leslie and Depledge (2020), for instance, suggest that WHO (2019) conclude that there is ‘no evidence to indicate a human health concern.’ This statement, taken out of context from the WHO report (WHO, 2019), is then used to imply that the WHO conclude there is ‘no risk’ related to the exposure of microplastic particles (Leslie and Depledge, 2020). While, Leslie and Depledge (2020) highlight the importance of debate and systematic assessment of claims related to the assessment of risk, observations that we agree are important to highlight, there are a number of points raised in the article that require clarification. Specifically and most importantly, the WHO report (WHO, 2019) does not conclude that microplastics are safe. The report (WHO, 2019), however, does acknowledge that there are significant uncertainties related to the quality and breadth of available data pertaining to human exposure to microplastics in drinking-water and that our knowledge regarding both exposure and toxicological effects require the acquisition of more robust ‘evidence’. In an effort to help strengthen the quality and robustness of data needed to better inform human health risk assessment, the WHO report (WHO, 2019) identifies several research priorities, which are further supported by an evaluation and guidance towards improving the characterization and quantification of microplastic particles in drinking-water (Koelmans et al., 2019). The suggestion by Leslie and Depledge (2020) “...that it is clearly perilous to believe that the absence of evidence of risk translates into evidence for the absence of risk”, raises an important issue that policy makers must continuously address when considering policy decisions. To address the associated uncertainties in relation to the actual and potential risks attributed to exposure to microplastic particles there exists the following dilemma, which we perceive represents a source of frustration, not only to the research community as expressed by Leslie and Depledge (2020) but also to risk assessors, managers and decision makers:

Clarifying the absence of evidence regarding human health risks to microplastic particles in drinking-water: High quality robust data wanted