DUBAI: A recent global study has found that boiling tap water could help remove up to 90% of microplastics, offering a simple way to reduce plastic consumption.
Researchers added microplastics into both hard and soft tap water samples. After boiling and filtering, they discovered that hard water, rich in minerals like calcium, was most effective in trapping the particles. In these samples, boiling formed limescale (calcium carbonate) which captured the plastics, allowing easy removal.
Interestingly, even in soft water, where mineral content is lower, boiling still captured about 25% of the microplastics. Researchers noted that using a simple filter, such as a tea strainer, after boiling can help remove these particles effectively.
The study suggests that boiling tap water could offer an easy, everyday solution to reduce microplastic intake, especially as concerns grow about plastic contamination in drinking water supplies. While the method doesn’t eliminate all particles, it significantly cuts exposure levels.
Researchers emphasised that this simple home method could be particularly valuable in areas where bottled water is either costly or unavailable. They also pointed out that the method’s effectiveness is higher in places with hard water, where natural minerals assist in trapping the plastics.
Microplastics—tiny fragments less than five millimetres long—are increasingly found in oceans, rivers, and even drinking water. Their impact on human health is still being studied, but early findings suggest potential risks.
The study’s authors are calling for further research into other accessible ways to filter microplastics from water. In the meantime, boiling water before drinking may offer an easy, low-cost step toward reducing daily exposure to these invisible pollutants.
As plastic waste continues to rise globally, small changes like this could help people take control of their health in simple ways.
