
Boiling tap water is good for more than just killing certain harmful pathogens. It can also destroy contaminants such as microplastics and chemicals, making drinking water safer to drink.
A new research letter published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters indicates that boiling tap water for just five minutes could reduce the amount of microplastics by up to 90%. Researchers from Guangzhou Medical University and the Center for Environmental Microplastics Studies in China recommend boiling water in a nonplastic electric kettle on the stove to remove impurities such as polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
The researchers pointed out that boiling water has been used since ancient times as a purification method in some Asian countries. “This simple boiling-water strategy can ‘decontaminate’ [nano- and microplastics] from household tap water and has the potential for harmlessly alleviating human intake of [nano- and microplastics] through water consumption,” they wrote.
Boiling Harder Water Captures More Microplastics
Water of a certain alkalinity and hardness typically produces ‘incrustants’—insoluble mineral remnants like calcium carbonate—upon boiling. For the study, the researchers hypothesized that calcium carbonate encounters nanoplastics as it crystallizes in hot water. The calcium carbonate then encapsulates the nanoplastics as it becomes the flaky crust you sometimes see at the bottom of your tea kettle.
The study showed that boiling hard tap water containing 300 milligrams per liter (mg/L-1) of calcium carbonate reduced all plastics by nearly 90%, while water containing 80 mg/L-1 reduced particles by 84%. In soft water samples containing less than 60 mg/L-1 of calcium carbonate, boiling still reduced plastics by over 25%.
The Problem With Millions of Tons of Plastic
Because of our heavy reliance on plastic, nanoplastics and microplastics are common in groundwater and surface water around the globe. Microplastics are truly everywhere, having been detected as far south as Antarctica and north as the Arctic.
These insidious particles have even been detected at the peak of Mt. Everest and down in the Mariana Trench.
In fact, plastic comprises the largest portion of marine garbage; according to a 2020 study published in Science of the Total Environment, more than 8 million tons of plastic entered the ocean in 2017. That number represented over 33 times more plastic than the amount that had entered the ocean in 2015, indicating a disturbingly worsening problem.
As plastic disintegrates, microscopic pieces are released into the environment. Microplastics are typically less than 5 millimeters in size but can break down into even smaller pieces called nanoplastics. Nanoplastics are nearly impossible to see at 1 micrometer in size. The micro and nano pieces have been found in water, air, soil, food, and table salt, according to some studies.
The health effects of nano- and microplastics haven’t been fully realized. Still, research has suggested that their accumulation in the human body can cause:
• insulin resistance
• liver metabolic disorder
• DNA damage
• organ dysfunction
• immune response issues
• neurotoxicity
• and reproductive harm
While the research team only focused on three types of nanoparticles, the discovery is a boon for public health. The team estimated that people who boil their water take in two to five times less nanoplastics than those who do not.
“Drinking boiled water apparently is a viable long-term strategy for reducing global exposure to [nano- and microplastics],” the research team wrote, adding that it is likely more effective than drinking bottled water, especially bottled in plastic. The average liter-sized bottle of water contains 240,000 pieces of nanoplastic, which is 10 to 100 times more particles than previously thought.
Thanks to Tyler Durden of Zero Hedge.
Six more posts on water here.
“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” ~Genesis 1:2
***For the Full Spike Protein Protocol to protect from transmission from the “V” and to help those who took the “V”, go here.
Deep Roots At Home now has a PODCAST! We are covering everything from vaccines, parenting topics, alternative medicine. Head over today and like, share and download a few episodes!
I’d love to stay connected with you, and here is one way…
Censorship is real. My Pinterest account was suspended; but surprisingly part of my main board is still available through this link, and it scrolls down a long way!
You can also find me on Facebook, Gab, MeWe, X (Twitter), Instagram, and look for me on IG Stories.
And please join me for my FREE newsletter. Click here.
©2025 Deep Roots at Home • All Rights Reserved
Melena
Is this information saying that if my tap water is softened through a whole house system and I also use a Berkey filter, the microplastics are greatly reduced?
Thanks for your input!
Jacqueline
Melena, what you are drinking through the Berkey will be greatly reduced, if not to 99%. But if you boil the soft water on the stove, it will reduce it by 25%, according to the study.
I hope that helps!
Blessings,
Jacque
Katie
Wow! This is great. A few weeks ago I met a lady who lives off-grid. She told me that she boils their hard well water in a large pot on her wood stove (which they heat with) to reduce the hardness of the water. She says it’s best to let it cool before pouring it into glass jars because the hard mineral sediment will settle to the bottom.
Years ago I read a book by GNOWFGLINS (Wardee Harmon) that said making kombucha with water that is not mineralized is much better for the scoby. We use R.O. water for kombucha and get phenomenal results.
I think my husband has told me that boiled water is also better for you because the boiling restructures the water and adds energy. Not sure I remember right though.
Wouldn’t it be nice if boiling water got rid of the stuff falling into our water from the skies?!
Katie
Jacqueline
Yes!! Katie, it sure would be! I need a dedicated boiling pot now 🙂
Katie
An old enamel canner would be great – holds lots of water!