It would seem that a plastic kettle is a good choice. It is light, does not burn your hands during use and, above all, is cheap. Unfortunately, they can potentially be very harmful. Research conducted by scientists from RMIT University in Melbourne explains a lot.
What exactly is this about microplastics?
Results research is very disturbing. When boiling just one liter of water in a polypropylene kettle, over 10 million microscopic plastic particles enter the drink. We are talking about particles so small that several hundred of them could fit on the width of a human hair.
What's worse, these particles don't just stay in our digestive system. Scientists have detected microplastics even in human bloodwhich means that it can freely travel throughout the body – reaching the lungs, liver and kidneys.
Although the World Health Organization (WHO) admits that we still do not know all the consequences of the presence of microplastics in our bodies, Scientists are already sounding the alarm. They indicate that these particles can cause inflammation, disrupt hormonal balance and even increase the risk of cancer.
It's not just the lid that's a problem
Another problem with plastic kettles is that manufacturers rarely provide information about the exact composition of the materials used. Most packaging only has the general inscription “plastic”. Many of us think that it is enough to buy a kettle with a steel body to avoid the problem. Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Even models that look metal they often have plastic elements – a lid, a water measuring cup or a strainer at the outlet. Each of these elements can release harmful substances when in contact with hot water.
What to choose instead of plastic?
The safest choice is fully made kettles stainless steelwith a steel lid and no plastic elements inside. They can also be an alternative glass models. Also ceramic kettles are good for us as long as they do not contain harmful coatings, such as certain types of paints or glazes. It is worth paying special attention to:
- material of the lid
- no plastic elements at the outlet
- a type of water level measure
- seal material at the heater
Every cup of tea or coffee brewed with water from a plastic kettle is another portion of microplastics for our body. Therefore, it is worth considering replacing the equipment – if your kitchen is dominated by a plastic kettle or one with plastic elements inside, maybe it is a good time to switch to a safer alternative?