The tiny plastic particles have become a matter of high concern across the world as they have now found their way into drinking water, too. The tiny particles are often called nano or microplastics and are invisible to the naked eye but secretly threaten our health.
Recently, researchers have suggested a simple solution that could help protect against these small yet harmful particles. According to the researchers, simple techniques like boiling and filtering tap water help significantly reduce these tiny particles.
How is drinking water contaminated with nano and microplastics?
Notably, the nanoplastics measure less than 1 micrometer, and the measuring range of microplastics is around 1 to 5000 micrometers. Usually, these particles get into the drinking water through lakes and rivers – which are generally contaminated by plastic items generated from household items, packaging materials, and clothing fibers.
The standard water treatment system often fails to remove these minute particles, resulting in a contaminated water supply to our homes.
High contamination in drinking water – Study
A recently conducted study has revealed that plastic contamination in drinking water has increased beyond a limit. A study was conducted in which around 159 tap water samples were tested; out of those, 81% of the samples were contaminated with nano or microplastics. These samples were collected from 14 countries, and some of the common plastics were polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
How do these particles affect human health?
Following the consumption of these plastic particles, they accumulate in the body tissues, resulting in deadly health diseases. Certain changes linked to gut bacteria, insulin resistance, and liver disorders are seen among the people who are exposed to these tiny plastics.
Benefits of Boiling Water –
Surprisingly, boiling water has various benefits, which is why Asian countries like China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India prefer boiling water before consuming it. It is believed that this practice removes harmful toxins, bacteria, and chemicals.
Now recently, researchers have found that boiling water also results in the removal of plastic particles from drinking (tap) water.