Scientists Discover Simple Method to Remove Microplastics from Tap Water
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Scientists have found an effective way to eliminate tiny fragments of microplastics that are infiltrating our bodies in alarming quantities through our food and beverages.
Researchers from Guangzhou Medical University and Jinan University in China conducted experiments on both soft water and mineral-rich hard tap water, introducing nanoplastics and microplastics (NMPs) before boiling the water and filtering out any precipitates.
In some cases, up to 90 percent of the NMPs were removed by the boiling and filtering process, though effectiveness varied depending on the type of water. The significant advantage is that most households can perform this process using common kitchen equipment.
"This simple boiling water strategy can 'decontaminate' NMPs from household tap water and has the potential for harmlessly alleviating human intake of NMPs through water consumption," the researchers wrote in their paper, published in February.
A higher concentration of NMPs was removed from hard tap water, which naturally forms limescale (calcium carbonate) build-up when heated. This chalky substance, commonly seen inside kitchen kettles, forms on the plastic's surface as temperature changes force calcium carbonate out of solution, trapping the plastic fragments in a crust.
Even in soft water, where less calcium carbonate is dissolved, roughly a quarter of the NMPs were captured. The lime-encrusted plastic bits could then be removed through a simple filter, such as a stainless steel mesh used for straining tea, according to the researchers.
Previous studies have detected fragments of polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate in potable tap water, which we consume daily in varying amounts. To thoroughly test their strategy, the researchers added even more nanoplastic particles, which were effectively reduced in number.
"Drinking boiled water apparently is a viable long-term strategy for reducing global exposure to NMPs," the researchers stated. "However, drinking boiled water is often regarded as a local tradition and prevails only in a few regions."
The research team hopes that drinking boiled water will become more widespread as plastic pollution continues to increase. While the exact impact of these plastics on our bodies remains uncertain, they are clearly not beneficial. Plastics have been linked to changes in the gut microbiome and antibiotic resistance.
The team behind this study calls for more research into how boiling water can keep artificial materials out of our bodies and potentially counter some of the harmful effects of microplastics.
"Our results have ratified a highly feasible strategy to reduce human NMP exposure and established the foundation for further investigations with a much larger number of samples," the authors concluded.