Boil Tap Water for 5 Minutes to Cut Microplastics, Study Says
Creatrip Team
a month ago
A joint study found that boiling tap water for 5 minutes can remove up to 90% of micro- and nanoplastics. Researchers mixed common plastic particles (polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene) into Guangzhou tap water, boiled it at 100°C for 5 minutes, then let it cool for 10 minutes and measured concentrations. Minerals like calcium and magnesium in hard water aggregate during boiling to form calcium carbonate residue that traps tiny plastic particles, which settle to the kettle bottom. Hard water (high mineral content) showed about 90% removal, while soft water removed around 25%. Recommended practice: boil tap water for 5 minutes, let it cool, and pour off the clear water on top; optionally filter once through a paper coffee filter to remove settled residue. Separate research found bottled water can contain about three times more micro/nanoplastics than tap water (average ~6 million vs ~2 million particles per liter). Experts suggest drinking filtered tap water stored in glass or stainless containers instead of buying bottled water.
