Recently, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published a surprising study that revealed an average of about 240,000 detectable plastic particles per liter of bottled water. These nanoscale plastic particles can enter our gut or lung cells, travel through the bloodstream, reach the heart and brain, and even, in the case of pregnant women, cross the placenta and enter the fetus.

So, in the face of such pollution, how can we ensure our drinking water safety? Can boiling water effectively reduce the amount of microplastics? Liu Xiaochuan, chief physician and director of the Gastroenterology Department and Infectious Diseases Department of the Emergency General Hospital, explains how to reduce the microplastic content by boiling water to make your drinking water safer.

Boiling water is a simple and effective way to reduce the amount of microplastics

Recent shocking findings about microplastics in bottled water have forced us to re-examine our drinking habits. For most homes, boiling water is a simple and effective way to kill bacteria.

With regard to microplastics, boiling water does reduce their content to some extent. When water is boiled, the microplastic particles combine with the calcium carbonate in the water to form a sediment. With simple filtration, we can remove up to 84% of microplastics. Therefore, boiling water before drinking is indeed an effective way to reduce the intake of microplastics.

When the water is heated to boiling, the microplastic particles will be separated from other substances in the water due to differences in density and size, and some will precipitate to the bottom. Therefore, after boiling the water, if conditions permit, we can use a filter or gauze for simple filtration to further reduce the microplastic particles in the water.

Microplastics "latent" life in these "self-defense techniques" you get

Here are four things you need to do to keep your water safe

1. Choose good quality bottled water: When purchasing bottled water, pay attention to the product label and certification information, and choose a brand with quality assurance. Avoid buying bottled water from unknown sources or at too low a price.

2. Replace kettles and cups regularly: Even high-quality kettles and cups may wear out with long-term use, leading to microplastics. It is recommended to replace it regularly to keep it clean.

3. Install a home water purifier: Installing a home water purifier can effectively remove impurities and microplastic particles from the water and provide safer drinking water.

4. Use a stainless steel or glass kettle: It is safer to boil water because these materials do not release microplastic particles easily.

Therefore, we should try to avoid using plastic kettles, especially at high temperatures, where chemicals in plastics may accelerate decomposition and increase the risk of microplastics.

These common scenarios in our lives can be avoided with small changes

Use reusable shopping bags: When shopping, choose reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags, which is both environmentally friendly and fashionable.

Reduce take-out and fast food intake: Take-out and fast food packaging often contains large amounts of plastic, which may not only produce microplastics, but also contain other harmful substances. Try to cook your own food, which is healthy and environmentally friendly.

Pay attention to food packaging: When buying food, pay attention to check whether the packaging is complete and avoid buying damaged or deformed packaged food.

Practicing these personal hygiene habits will help protect you from microplastics

1. Use natural toiletries. Choose toiletries that do not contain microplastic particles, such as toothpaste with natural ingredients, facial cleansers, etc. Pay attention to the ingredient list and avoid buying products that contain microplastics.

2. Cleanse your skin regularly. Shower frequently, wash your hands, and keep your skin clean, especially after touching objects that may contain microplastics. Avoid touching your face and mouth directly with your hands to reduce the risk of microplastics entering your body through skin contact.

3. Participate in garbage sorting and recycling. The plastic products are classified to improve the recycling rate. By participating in environmental protection activities, we will understand the hazards and solutions of microplastic pollution and jointly contribute to the protection of the environment.

Boiled water vs. Bottled water: Which is healthier?

There is no absolute answer to the question of whether it is healthier to boil your own water or drink bottled water. It mainly depends on the local water quality and personal living habits.

After purification treatment by water plants, tap water can usually meet national standards

Boiling water to drink, usually refers to the use of tap water to boil after drinking. After the purification treatment of tap water by water plants, it can usually meet the "sanitary standards for drinking Water" promulgated by the state. Although sometimes people worry that tap water may contain harmful substances such as heavy metals and chlorine, in fact, as long as the water source is not seriously polluted and the boiling time is sufficient, these harmful substances can be greatly reduced or even eliminated.

For example, substances such as magnesium and calcium that may be contained in tap water will form scale during heating, but these scales will not cause direct harm to the human body unless consumed in large quantities. At the same time, the chlorine content in tap water is usually within the safe range, and most of the chlorine will evaporate during the boiling process, so there is no need to worry about its harm to the human body. Boiling water is relatively economical and convenient to drink, and if you pay attention to water quality and boiling method, it is usually safer.

Avoid repeatedly boiling tap water for a long time resulting in mineral loss and nitrite increase

It is worth noting that if the water is boiled repeatedly, the minerals in the water will gradually lose, and trace amounts of nitrite may be produced. Although nitrite has a certain vasodilation effect on the human body, a large amount of intake may lead to vasodilation, headache, lethargy and other symptoms, and may even cause poisoning. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid repeatedly boiling tap water for a long time and drink it in moderation.

Drinking bottled water for a long time may lead to nutritional imbalance

If the local water quality is poor and contains too much heavy metal or other pollutants, then drinking bottled water may be a safer option. Bottled water is favored by many people for its convenience and safety. However, health concerns about bottled water have also been raised in recent years.

In addition, bottled water usually does not contain the minerals needed by the human body, and long-term drinking may lead to unbalanced nutrition and even cause problems such as rough skin. Therefore, even if you choose bottled water, it is recommended to drink it in moderation and combine it with other dietary methods to ensure a balanced nutrition.

Bottled water can be contaminated during production, storage and transportation

First of all, bottled water can be contaminated with bacteria and viruses during production, storage and transportation if not handled properly, which can lead to oral infections, gastrointestinal damage and other problems. These bacterial contamination can lead to oral diseases such as keratitis and mouth ulcers, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. Therefore, it is very important to choose a reputable brand and ensure that the bottled water is consumed during its expiry date.

Secondly, the microplastic particles that may be contained in bottled water is also a problem that cannot be ignored. Recently, according to the international academic journal "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" (PNAS) published research, bottled water contains an average of about 240,000 detectable plastic particles per liter. These microplastic particles may enter the human body through drinking water, and although the long-term effects of microplastics on human health are still being studied, long-term ingestion of microplastics may pose potential risks to human health.