Your plastic kettle could be releasing millions of plastic particles, new study finds

Boiling the kettle for a morning cup of tea could be dangerous for your health and should come with a consumer warning, scientists say. See the concerning findings.

University of Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences researcher Dr Elvis Okoffo. Picture: Anjanette Webb

Boiling the kettle for a morning cup of tea could be dangerous for your health, according to Queensland scientists.

University of Queensland researchers have found that plastic kettles are leaching nano and micro plastic particles into the water and should come with a consumer warning.

University of Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences researcher Elvis Okoffo said the first few boils in a new kettle showed the highest levels of plastic, though particles were still detected even after 150 uses.

“Boiling water in plastic kettles is a daily routine for millions of people worldwide and we have found this simple habit can release tiny plastic particles into the water we use every day,’’ Dr Okoffo said.

“This study provides evidence that plastic kettles can be a source of daily human exposure to nanoplastics and microplastics and that new plastic kettles release notable concentrations of these particles into water during boiling.’’

The research found the first boil in a new kettle released almost 12 million nanoparticles per millilitre — equating to almost 3 billion particles in an average 250ml cup of tea.

After 150 boils, there were still 820,000 nanoparticles detected per millilitre, or 205 million per 250ml cup.

Scanning Electron Microscopy image of nanoparticles released from a plastic kettle following: (a) 1 boil; (b) 10 boils; (c) 50 boils; and (d) 150 boils. Picture: University of Queensland

Nanoplastics can cause inflammation, cellular damage and can accumulate in organs like the liver, lungs, and brain, potentially contributing to respiratory illnesses, neurological disorders, and metabolic issues.

The research found hard tap water significantly reduced the amount of nanoplastic particles released, likely due to minerals forming a protective coating inside the kettle.

Discarding the water from the first few boils of a new plastic kettle could also reduce particle release and ingestion, and this was already recommended by some kettle manufacturers.

“Simple rinsing before first use is common, but it does not achieve the same level of removal as repeated cycles of boiling and discarding,’’ Dr Okoffo said.

“Many people may overlook or skip this step, highlighting the need for clearer product labelling and instructions.

“I would call on manufacturers, policymakers and regulators to inform consumers with safety guidelines or product labels warning about plastic particle release.

“Although particle concentrations drop with repeated use, our research shows there is a continuous low-level exposure risk.’’

Dr Okoffo said the study demonstrated the importance of further investigation into human health implications of prolonged exposure to plastic particles.

“By combining better product design, improved labelling, and public awareness, we can help limit the amount of plastic entering both our bodies and the environment.’’

The research is published in Emerging Contaminants.

Originally published as Your plastic kettle could be releasing millions of plastic particles, new study finds