Recent research has revealed that nano- and microplastics, tiny plastic particles that contaminate water sources, are present in 81% of tap water samples tested across 14 countries.

Common sources of these plastics include household items, packaging materials, and clothing fibers, which standard water treatment systems often fail to eliminate.

To combat this issue, researchers have found that boiling and filtering tap water can significantly reduce harmful nano- and microplastics, offering a practical solution to improve drinking water safety.

In a study conducted by researchers from Guangzhou Medical University and Jinan University, boiling tap water was shown to reduce plastic particles by up to 90% in hard water conditions.

The boiling process causes calcium carbonate molecules to form solid crystals that bond with plastic particles, encapsulating them and allowing for their removal as the water cools.

This technique also creates limescale, which traps plastic particles and aids in their removal during filtering, demonstrating an impressive removal rate of 84% to 90% depending on water mineral content.

While boiling significantly reduces plastic contamination, its effectiveness can vary based on local water hardness; hard water yields better results than soft water.

This straightforward boiling technique empowers individuals to improve their health and contribute to reducing plastic pollution through simple daily practices.

The method is practical, requiring only basic household items, though researchers recommend using metal or glass containers to avoid harmful chemicals from heated plastics.

The researchers advocate for the global adoption of boiling water as a long-term strategy to lower exposure to nano- and microplastics, emphasizing the need for further research on water conditions worldwide.

Boiling water has been a traditional practice in several Asian countries, primarily to eliminate bacteria, but new findings indicate it also effectively removes plastic particles.