There's a Surprisingly Easy Way to Remove Microplastics from Your Drinking Water
Researchers from Guangzhou Medical University and Jinan University found that boiling and filtering tap water can remove up to 90% of microplastics, especially in hard water, promoting health safety.
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Researchers from Guangzhou Medical University and Jinan University in China have discovered a simple method to remove microplastics from drinking water. Their study, published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, involved adding nanoplastics and microplastics to both soft and hard tap water, then boiling and filtering the water. The results showed that up to 90% of the nanoplastics were removed, with higher effectiveness in hard water due to the formation of limescale, which traps plastic fragments. This method is accessible to most households, as it requires only boiling water and a basic filter, such as a stainless steel mesh. The researchers advocate for the wider adoption of boiling water as a strategy to reduce human exposure to microplastics, which have been linked to negative health effects, including changes in gut microbiome and antibiotic resistance. They emphasize the need for further research to explore the long-term benefits of this approach in mitigating the health risks associated with microplastics.
- A simple boiling and filtering method can remove up to 90% of microplastics from drinking water.
- Hard tap water is more effective in trapping microplastics due to limescale formation.
- The method is accessible and can be performed using common kitchen items.
- Microplastics have been linked to adverse health effects, prompting the need for effective removal strategies.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term benefits of boiling water in reducing microplastic exposure.
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12 commentsOK, there’s definitely more to the story. I wouldn’t know this, unless I had lived in China for a short bit working for Alibaba.
Pretty much nowhere in China is the tapwater safe to drink. The government knows it’s an issue, but there’s too much corruption in China to actually fix the problem. Pretty much everybody boils their tap water, and if you sit down at a restaurant, it’s very common to be served piping hot water with a meal.
Now I’m not saying the results of the study or invalid, but it’s essential to know who’s paying for it and and what their motivation is. to me this just seems like some very strange coincidences.
Reverse osmosis systems do though, and you can get several that will install under your sink. I bought a APEC system and am super happy with it. Even though plumbing is about my least favorite home DIY, the kit came with most stuff I needed and I got it done. I even plumbed in my coffee maker (no more filling up every morning! best thing ever), refrigerator and hot water dispenser.
These do exist for large scale too, removes more from the water, and very likely less energy intensive.
See https://www.plasticlist.org/ for a recent SV based project to measure microplastic contamination across popular food and drink items.
Naturally, all of the consumer water fillers are likely made of plastic.
supposed benefit of centralized boiling of water - heat captured can be used as power source, probably cheaper to boil in one central location than everybody all over town boils water when they need to drink etc.
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