Microplastics and nanoplastics (NMPs) have become a global health concern as they bypass centralized water treatment systems and enter our bodies through daily consumption. However, a 2024 study led by Zimin Yu and a team of researchers from Guangzhou Medical University has identified a surprisingly low-tech solution already available in every kitchen: boiling tap water.
The Science: How Boiling Traps Plastic
"According to the study, the boiling process triggers a natural chemical reaction that can strip away up to 90% of microplastic contaminants, with the highest success rates found in hard water samples."
- Boiling hard water forces calcium carbonate to precipitate, forming a solid limescale crust.
- The Trap: As the limescale forms, it encapsulates the plastic fragments, effectively trapping them in a chalky "crust."
- Filtering: Once the plastic is trapped in these solid mineral deposits, it can be easily removed by pouring the water through a simple stainless steel mesh filter (like a common tea strainer).
Effectiveness by Water Type
The researchers discovered that the "hardness" of your local water significantly impacts how much plastic is removed:
| Water Type | Calcium Carbonate Level | NMP Removal Rate |
| Very Hard Water | 300 mg/L | ~90% |
| Hard Water | 180 mg/L | ~84% |
| Medium Water | 80 mg/L | ~34% |
| Soft Water | Low Mineral Content | ~25% |
Even in soft water regions where limescale is minimal, boiling still manages to remove roughly a quarter of the plastic particles.
Why This Matters
While many advanced water filtration systems are expensive or inaccessible, boiling water is a cost-effective, long-term strategy that can be implemented globally.
The researchers tested the method against common plastics found in drinking water, including
- Polystyrene (common in packaging)
- Polyethylene (plastic bags/bottles)
- Polypropylene (containers/caps)
A Growing Global Practice?
While drinking boiled water is a long-standing tradition in many Asian cultures, it is less common in the West. The researchers hope that as awareness of plastic pollution grows, this "simple boiling strategy" will become a widespread health habit to alleviate the human intake of NMPs.
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