- Findings published by researchers in China reveal that boiling water can be an effective way to remove microplastics from the liquid.
- When water is boiled, naturally occurring minerals like calcium carbonate form crystals and trap nano- and microplastic particles, causing them to precipitate.
- This makes it easy to separate the particles from the water and could potentially remove up to 90% of microplastics from mineral-rich, hard tap waters.
Although they’re tiny, microplastics are becoming big news. In the 20 years since scientists first used the term microplastics — a word that describes small plastic particles less than five millimeters in length — a growing body of research has revealed how omnipresent they are, floating in our oceans, soil, and even in the human brain.
As we become more aware of where microplastics are and the effects they can have on human health, we’re also learning about how we can reduce our exposure to them. And according to new research, when it comes to our drinking water, that may be easier than you think.
In early 2024, researchers from Guangzhou Medical University and Jinan University in China published the findings of a study on eliminating microplastics from tap water in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, and the solution might come down to one simple step: boiling water.
To analyze the effects of boiling water that contains microplastics, the team spiked tap water with three common plastics: polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene. The researchers observed that when the water hit a roiling boil, naturally occurring minerals like calcium carbonate began forming solid crystals. Those crystals surrounded and trapped the plastic particles in the water before settling at the bottom of the liquid. Scientists then allowed the water to cool and separated out the deposits of minerals and microplastics.
According to their findings, boiling and filtering out these crystals can remove up to 90% of the nano- and microplastic particles (NMPs) present. However, it’s critical to note that the water needed to have a high mineral content — defined as “hard water” — for the boiling to prove this effective. In soft water with a lower mineral content, the team saw reductions of around 25% of microplastics.
“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,” the authors explained.
Because the mineral content and amount of microplastics in tap water can vary so greatly around the world, researchers approximated that the amount of microplastics ingested on a daily basis from boiled water could range between two to five times less than that of regular tap water, depending on where the water is sourced from.
These results present a promising and affordable way to reduce microplastic exposure around the world. Although more research with a greater sample size is needed, scientists pointed out that, “our results have ratified a highly feasible strategy to reduce human NMP exposure and established the foundation for further investigations…”
If you’re worried about exposure to microplastics through food and drink, there are a few other simple steps you can take to diminish the presence of these particles in your kitchen, including swapping out plastic cutting boards for wooden cutting boards or replacing plastic utensils with materials like metal, wood, and silicone.
Another easy substitution? Check the material makeup of your cleaning rags. As Lisa Erdle, PhD — a biologist, ecotoxicologist, and the director of science and innovation at the 5 Gyres Institute, a nonprofit focused on reducing plastic pollution — previously advised, “opting for home textiles made from natural fibers [like cotton] instead of synthetic” is an easy way to lessen the spread of microplastics.
While we await more research on the impact of microplastics and how to avoid them, at least existing information shows that many of us can easily implement a few strategies to decrease the presence of these particles at home.
3 ways to reduce microplastics in your home
Want to reduce your exposure without putting in a ton of work? Here are a few simple swaps to start with.
- Replace nonstick pans: While artificially nonstick pans may be easier to clean, they’re often coated in polytetrafluoroethylene, a plastic coating that degrades and releases particles into your food over time. Instead, you can opt for materials like cast iron, stainless steel, carbon steel, and some ceramic skillets.
- Swap single-use plastic storage: Invest in glass or stainless steel storage containers and ditch those single-use plastic storage bags for your leftovers. This will reduce your exposure to microplastics and save you money in the long run.
- Avoid takeout containers: Whenever possible, avoid plastic takeout containers, which not only shed microplastics but may also leach chemicals that could be harmful to your heart health.
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