Boiling your tap water for just five minutes could cut down the amount of microplastics you drink every day. A new study from China shows that this easy method may help protect your health in a world where plastic pollution is a growing concern.

Researchers found that heating water can lower plastic particles in it—especially in areas with “hard water,” which has more minerals like calcium and magnesium. Their work, published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, offers a possible way to make home drinking water safer.

What Are Microplastics and Why Should You Worry?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, often smaller than a grain of sand. They come from many sources—plastic packaging, clothing fibers, and even car tires. These particles get into rivers, lakes, and oceans. From there, they make their way into the water we drink, the food we eat, and even the air we breathe.

Once inside the human body, these plastic bits can move through organs and tissues. Studies have found microplastics in lungs, the liver, kidneys, and even in the placenta of unborn babies. Though the full health effects are still under review, early research links them to heart attacks, strokes, and memory loss.

A Simple Boil May Do the Trick

Scientists from Guangzhou Medical University and other institutions ran tests using water with different levels of hardness. They added micro- and nanoplastics to the water and then boiled it for five minutes. What they found was surprising.

In soft water, boiling reduced plastic particles by about 25%. But in hard water, the reduction was far greater—up to 90%. That’s because boiling hard water creates limescale, the chalky white crust you often see on kettles and pans. This crust is made of minerals like calcium carbonate, which seem to trap the plastic bits and pull them out of the liquid.

Dr. Zimin Yu, a biomedical engineer involved in the study, said the result is hopeful. “This simple boiling water strategy can ‘decontaminate’ microplastics from household tap water,” he noted. “It has the potential to reduce human intake of these particles safely.”

Use the Right Tools

If you plan to try this at home, researchers suggest using non-plastic kettles—such as those made from stainless steel or glass. Avoid boiling water in plastic containers, which could add even more microplastics to your drink.

The team also recommends using a stainless steel filter or a mesh strainer to catch the limescale that forms while boiling. This helps remove even more of the trapped plastic from the water before you drink it.

Age-Old Habit With New Purpose

In many parts of the world, especially in Asia, boiling water before drinking it is already a common practice. Countries like China, Indonesia, and Vietnam have long relied on this method to kill germs and improve taste. Now, scientists are saying this simple step could also protect us from modern threats like microplastics.

While this method won’t solve the plastic crisis on its own, it gives people a free and easy way to cut down on what they consume. In many places, bottled water isn’t an option. For these communities, boiling water might become a key step in staying healthy.

Limitations and the Need for More Study

Though the findings are promising, the study does have limits. First, the research focused only on microplastics added to lab-prepared water. Real tap water might contain other chemicals or contaminants that interact differently when boiled.

Second, the boiling method works best in hard water. If you live in an area with soft water, you might not see the same level of plastic removal. Still, even in soft water, the boiling process made a difference.

The researchers say more tests are needed to see how the process works in different parts of the world. They also want to find out how boiling affects other types of plastic-based toxins.

What You Can Do Now

Until more studies are done, there are still steps you can take to lower your microplastic intake:

• Boil tap water before drinking it, especially if you live in a hard water area.
• Use a metal or glass kettle—avoid plastic containers when heating water.
• Strain boiled water through a stainless steel filter to remove limescale.
• Limit the use of plastic in food containers, especially when heating.
• Consider using water filters that are tested for microplastic removal.

The study highlights a simple truth: sometimes, old habits offer modern solutions. Boiling water has been a trusted method for making it safer to drink. Now it might also help us fight back against the silent threat of microplastics.

With growing concerns over plastic waste, this discovery offers hope. As scientists look for larger-scale answers, this small step could make a big difference in our homes and health.