Research Found That Boiling Water Can Remove Microplastics from Drinking Water

Tiny plastic particles known as microplastics have increasingly become a health concern, making their way into our food and drinking water. While scientists are still trying to fully understand the impact of these particles on human health, a recent study has uncovered a surprisingly simple way to reduce microplastic contamination in drinking water: boiling and filtering.

Researchers from Guangzhou Medical University and Jinan University in China have discovered that boiling tap water and then filtering it can significantly decrease the number of microplastics present. Their study, published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, suggests that this method is not only effective but also practical for households around the world.

The team conducted tests using both soft water (which has fewer minerals) and hard tap water (which contains more minerals like calcium carbonate). To see how effective the boiling method was, the researchers added extra microplastics to both types of water before running the tests.

Their findings revealed that boiling and filtering hard tap water removed up to 90 percent of the microplastics. In contrast, when soft water was boiled and filtered, around 25 percent of the microplastics were removed. According to the study, the key to this difference lies in the presence of calcium carbonate in hard water.

When hard water is boiled, calcium carbonate precipitates out of the water and forms a chalky layer, similar to the limescale often seen in kettles. This chalky buildup traps the plastic fragments, making them easier to filter out. A simple tea strainer or stainless steel mesh can then be used to remove these trapped particles.

Biomedical engineer Zimin Yu, one of the lead authors of the study, explained that this method is both cost-effective and easily accessible. “This simple boiling water strategy can ‘decontaminate’ NMPs from household tap water and has the potential for harmlessly alleviating human intake of NMPs through water consumption,” Yu said.

Microplastics are increasingly present in our environment, and there is growing evidence that they can be harmful when ingested. Studies have shown that these particles can impact the gut microbiome and even increase antibiotic resistance. While boiling water is a traditional practice in some parts of the world, the research team hopes this study will encourage more people to adopt the habit, especially as plastic pollution continues to grow.

One of the most appealing aspects of this method is that it does not require expensive equipment or advanced technology. A household kettle and a simple filter are sufficient to make a difference. Drinking boiled water may not be a universal practice, but the researchers hope this simple step will become more common as awareness of microplastic contamination increases.

While the exact health effects of microplastics on the human body remain uncertain, reducing exposure through such an easy method could help mitigate potential risks. The team emphasizes that while boiling may not eliminate all microplastics, it is a practical approach that can significantly reduce their presence.

The study’s findings offer a straightforward way for people to take control of their drinking water quality. As scientists continue to study the broader impacts of microplastics, simple solutions like boiling water may prove to be an important part of reducing daily exposure.