Boiling water remove 80% of microplastics from tap water, but it may release chemicals like BPA upon heating, which could do more harm than good.

Yep, you heard that right. Many people believe that boiling water makes it 100% safe to drink by killing off bacteria and viruses, which is true for biological contaminants. But when it comes to microplastics—those tiny plastic particles floating in our water—boiling just doesn’t cut it. If you thought boiling your water was enough to make it free from plastic, it’s time to think again.

Now, let’s dive into why boiling doesn’t make them disappear.

What Are Microplastics and How Do They End Up in Our Water?

Microplastics are exactly what they sound like—microscopic plastic particles. These tiny bits of plastic come from larger plastic items like bottles, bags, and containers that break down over time. Do you know how plastic doesn’t really decompose? Well, it just gets smaller and smaller until it becomes invisible to the naked eye. That’s microplastic.

How Microplastics Get Into Our Water

Everyday activities contribute to the spread of microplastics. Think about it: Every time you use a plastic bottle, plastic packaging, or even synthetic fabrics, small particles can get released into the environment. These particles make their way into rivers, lakes, and eventually, into your tap water. It’s not just about littering or pollution either; even washing your clothes can release microplastics. Crazy, right?

Related Post: Sources Of Microplastics.

Once these particles enter our water systems, they’re tough to get rid of. Unlike bacteria or dirt, microplastics are incredibly tiny and resistant to natural breakdown processes. Unfortunately, boiling water doesn’t make these microplastics disappear. In fact, they’re so small that even traditional water treatment systems struggle to remove them entirely [sources].

Why Boiling Water Isn’t the Answer

Now, let’s tackle the big question: Does boiling water remove microplastics?

A study published in Environmental Research Letter suggests that boiling tap water, especially hard water with high calcium carbonate, can remove at least 80% of nano/microplastics (NMPs) like polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene. 

But some researchers argue that boiling water could make things worse in certain cases. For example, if water is in a plastic bottle or can, then it has a BPA, a plasticizer that is used to make plastic products. When certain types of plastic are exposed to high heat, they may release harmful chemicals that can be harmful to your health, even more so than the microplastics themselves [sources].

So, if you’re boiling water in hopes of making it safe from plastics, you could end up doing more harm than good because it is almost impossible to find out the BPA free products for a consumer because one of the research on BPA-free products shows that two-thirds of products contained BPA  [sources].

A Common Misconception

Most people believe that heat solves everything. Have a contaminated glass of water? Just boil it. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work for non-biological contaminants like microplastics. These particles are made of plastic polymers that don’t melt or break down easily, even at high temperatures. So, while boiling helps with bacteria, it’s just not equipped to handle plastic pollution.

A Real-Life Example: Microplastics in Your Daily Routine

Let’s take a common-day scenario. Imagine you’ve just filled your kettle with tap water to make a cup of tea. You boil the water, pour it into your cup, and sip away, thinking it’s perfectly safe. Little do you know, there are likely microplastic particles in that water that haven’t gone anywhere during the boiling process. They’re too small to see, but they’re there, floating in your tea.

Now, consider this: the average person consumes about a credit card’s worth of plastic each week just from drinking water. Hard to believe, right? But it’s true. These tiny plastic particles are practically unavoidable if your water hasn’t been filtered properly.

Related Post: Pathway Of Human Exposure To Microplastics.

Is Boiling Water an Effective Way to Remove Microplastics?

Most people assume that boiling water is the ultimate fix for all contaminants—just like you’d kill bacteria, it’s easy to believe that boiling would take care of microplastics, too. Unfortunately, it doesn’t. Boiling water doesn’t remove microplastics because plastic is not a biological contaminant, and plastic particles are far more resilient than germs.

So, if you’re boiling water to get rid of microplastics, it’s not going to work. But why exactly is that the case? Let’s break it down.

The Science Behind Boiling Water and Microplastics

In freshwater, plastic particles come in various shapes, and the most common types align with high-production plastics. In drinking water, fragments and fibers are the main shapes found, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene being the most frequently detected plastics.

Boiling water works wonders for killing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. The heat disrupts their cellular structures, making the water biologically safe to drink. But when it comes to microplastics—tiny particles of plastic that can be as small as 5 microns—boiling water simply doesn’t do the trick.

Why Heat Doesn’t Work on Microplastics

Microplastics are made of plastic polymers that don’t dissolve or break down at boiling temperatures. To put it simply, plastic doesn’t melt in boiling water. Most plastic needs to be heated too much higher temperatures (far beyond boiling point) before it starts to degrade.

So, boiling water for 5, 10, or even 30 minutes won’t reduce the microplastics in your water. In fact, depending on the type of plastic in your water, boiling might cause these particles to release harmful chemicals, like BPA (Bisphenol A) or phthalates—chemicals known to cause a variety of health issues like hormone disruption.

Imagine you’re heating up leftovers in a plastic container in the microwave. You wouldn’t do it because you know the plastic can melt and release harmful chemicals, right? The same kind of thing can happen when plastic particles are exposed to boiling water, although the plastic itself doesn’t melt.

Can Boiling Water Make the Situation Worse?

Believe it or not, boiling water could make things even worse in some cases. Yu et al. discovered that boiling hard water can help remove micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) by making them stick to calcium carbonate. While this method seems simple and effective, it only works well in areas with hard water, as soft or softened water doesn’t have the same effect. Additionally, there’s a concern that boiling water could cause harmful chemicals in plastics, such as phthalates and flame retardants, to leach into the water, which is linked with severe health issues like cancer, and boiling may speed up their release but further research is needed.[sources]

Better Ways to Remove Microplastics from Water

If boiling water isn’t the answer, then how can we actually get rid of microplastics? The good news is that there are effective ways to purify your water and reduce your exposure to these tiny plastic particles. Let’s go through some of the best options for microplastics to be filtered from water.

Activated Carbon Filters

Activated carbon is one of the common options available for reducing contaminants in water, including microplastics, and is specially designed to absorb and ditch particles, toxins, and even some chemicals. The best part is that they are fairly easy to install in your kitchen, and many water filter pitchers use this technology.

How It Works:

Activated carbon has a huge surface area with lots of tiny pores. When water passes through the filter, microplastic particles get trapped in the pores, preventing them from making it into your glass of water.

Tip: Make sure to check whether your carbon filter is rated for microplastic removal. Not all filters are created equal!

Reverse Osmosis Systems

When it comes to getting rid of the tiniest particles, reverse osmosis (RO) systems are one of the most effective methods. Reverse osmosis uses a semi-permeable membrane that allows water molecules to pass through but blocks larger particles, like microplastics, heavy metals, and other contaminants.

Why Reverse Osmosis Works:

The semi-permeable membrane in reverse osmosis filters is incredibly fine, so even the smallest microplastics can’t make it through. Not only does this system remove microplastics, but it also eliminates bacteria, viruses, and harmful chemicals, making it a solid all-around choice for water purification.

A Quick Example: If you’ve ever used a reverse osmosis water dispenser at your local grocery store, you’ve already experienced the benefits of this technology. It’s widely used in both home and commercial settings because of its efficiency.

Nanofiltration

If you’re looking for cutting-edge technology, nanofiltration is another option to consider. It’s similar to reverse osmosis but operates at a slightly lower pressure, making it more energy-efficient. Nanofiltration is specifically designed to remove very small particles, including microplastics while allowing essential minerals like calcium and magnesium to pass through.

A Step Beyond Traditional Filters:

Nanofiltration membranes can filter particles down to a nanometer scale, which makes them perfect for targeting microplastics that might be too small for other systems to catch.

Simple Household Filters

For those who don’t want to invest in larger filtration systems, there are still simpler solutions that can help reduce microplastics in your water. Many water filter pitchers and faucet attachments on the market now come with filters designed to tackle microplastics.

Brand Examples: Look for brands that specifically mention microplastic removal, like Brita or PUR. These are easy to use, affordable, and don’t require any major installation. While they may not be as effective as reverse osmosis or nanofiltration, they are still better than boiling water.

Do-It-Yourself Water Filtration

For a DIY solution, you can combine various filtration methods for added protection. A common setup includes a multi-stage filtration system that starts with a sediment filter (to catch big-sized particles), followed by an activated carbon filter, and finally, a reverse osmosis unit. This layered approach ensures you’re catching all kinds of contaminants, including microplastics.

It’s clear that boiling water isn’t enough to tackle the issue of microplastics. The good news is, you don’t have to settle for that. By using activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis systems, or even nanofiltration, you can significantly reduce the amount of microplastics in your water. And if you’re not ready for a big investment, even a simple filter pitcher can help reduce your exposure.

With these options, you can take control of what’s in your water and ensure that you and your family are drinking safe, microplastic-free water every day.

What Boiling Won’t Fix: Microplastics in the Environment

Let’s get one thing clear: microplastic pollution is everywhere, and boiling water does nothing to stop it. Microplastics are found in the oceans, rivers, lakes, and even the air. Whether you’re in a bustling city or a remote part of the world, these tiny plastic particles are virtually inescapable.

Boiling water does not help much to remove microplastic but the health risks of ingesting microplastic particles through drinking water remain unclear. Most studies suggest that microplastics larger than 150 µm are likely to pass through the body without being absorbed, while smaller particles may be absorbed in limited amounts. Although some toxicology studies in rats and mice have reported effects like liver. [sources].

Conclusion: Does Boiling Water Remove Microplastics?

So, let’s circle back to the question at hand: Does boiling water remove microplastics? The simple answer is no. Boiling water might kill bacteria and viruses, but it does nothing to remove microplastic particles from your water. In fact, boiling water could potentially make the problem worse by releasing harmful chemicals from the plastic particles.