In modern life, electric kettles have become the standard configuration of almost every home. Whether it's the first cup of hot water after waking up in the morning, or making tea and coffee, it is our right-hand man.
However, the long-standing statement that electric kettles may lead to excessive heavy metals and even carcinogenic has really made many people panic.
The material of the electric kettle
There are many different materials for electric kettles on the market, among which stainless steel kettles are widely regarded as food-grade materials because of their durability and safety, especially 304 and 316 stainless steel.
These stainless steels are reliable, but there are concerns that they can release metals like nickel and chromium at high temperatures, which pose a threat to human health. In order to solve this mystery, scientific research institutions and monitoring departments have carried out several tests.
For example, the Qingdao Laoshan District Center for Disease Control and Prevention has previously tested electric kettles of different brands, prices and materials on the market.
The results showed that the content of 7 metals such as nickel and iron in the water samples before and after boiling did not change significantly in both new and old kettles, indicating that most electric kettles are safe under normal use conditions.
In addition, experiments at the Quanzhou monitoring station in Fujian Province also found that after the tap water was boiled, the residual chlorine and chloroform content were very low, which fully met the national drinking water standards. These test results gave us a reassuring pill.
However, although most electric kettles are safe for normal use, consumers still need to be cautious when purchasing and using them. Choosing a well-known brand and a reputable product is the first step to safety.
Remember, cheap is not good, and good is not cheap. If you choose the right product, you must pay attention to the use and maintenance. Cleaning the electric kettle regularly to avoid the accumulation of limescale and impurities is also an important step in ensuring water safety.
In addition, it is best not to reheat the same pot of water over and over again for a long time, which can reduce potential health risks.
Speaking of which, we have to mention the progress of science and technology. Scientists are not idle, and they have been working hard to develop new materials and technologies to improve the safety of electric kettles.
For example, the use of advanced coating technology and improved metal alloys can effectively reduce the dissolution of metal elements. In the future, with the development of material science and manufacturing technology, the safety and functionality of electric kettles will be further improved.
As a small helper in daily life, the electric kettle is quite reliable. As long as we choose a good brand and pay attention to use and maintenance, we can drink safe and secure hot water.
On the question of limescale
Scale actually refers to the insoluble carbonate precipitate formed by the combination of calcium, magnesium and other mineral ions in the water with carbonate when the hardness of the water is high, as the water temperature increases.
These sediments gradually accumulate on the inner walls of containers such as kettles or water heaters, forming what we call "limescale".
In most cases, the scale produced by household tap water is harmless to the human body, but if the water source is unknown, the scale contains pollutants such as heavy metals, which can cause harm to the human body.
Scale is mainly composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and magnesium carbonate (MgCO3). These two substances are widely found in nature and are also essential minerals for the human body.
Calcium is essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth, while magnesium is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body and plays an important role in heart health, muscle function, and the proper functioning of the nervous system. So, these ingredients in limescale are not terrible in themselves.
When these sediments enter the body in the form of limescale, they encounter stomach acid. Gastric acid is mainly composed of hydrochloric acid (HCl), which is an important component of the human digestive system.
Not only does it help digest food, but it also kills bacteria and activates digestive enzymes.
Under the action of gastric acid, the calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate in limescale will be dissolved and converted into calcium ions (Ca2+) and magnesium ions (Mg2+), which can then be absorbed and utilized by the body or excreted by kidney metabolism.
In general, the composition of household tap water is safe, so this scale will not cause harm to the human body.
However, if the source of drinking water is unknown, such as untreated well or river water, it may contain harmful substances to humans, and the scale formed in this case may pose a health risk.
Therefore, we should try to drink heated qualified tap water, and at the same time choose qualified decoration materials, and avoid drinking water from unknown sources or untreated water, so as to reduce the potential harm to the body.
In addition to the choice of tap water, cleaning the kettle regularly is also an important step in keeping the water quality safe.
In fact, scale itself is not so scary, but we still need to pay attention to the safety of water quality. For example, choosing safe kitchen utensils and using water purification equipment to filter impurities and heavy metals from tap water are all effective protective measures.
Through these simple habits, we can greatly reduce the risk of exposure to heavy metals and enjoy safer and healthier drinking water.
As for whether electric kettles cause cancer
Under normal use conditions, even an electric kettle made of high manganese steel will not cause excessive or carcinogenic risks of heavy metal elements such as manganese.
As an essential trace element for the human body, manganese is involved in the formation of bones, the coagulation of blood, and the activation of various enzymes.
While a deficiency or excess of manganese in the human body can have adverse health effects, electric kettles typically do not exceed 100°C in temperature, while manganese has a melting point of over 1200°C.
Therefore, at the temperature of daily use, the manganese element will not precipitate from the kettle material into the water.
In addition, according to relevant studies, even under extreme conditions, such as boiling a 4% acetic acid solution in an electric kettle containing high manganese steel, the dissolution of manganese is much lower than the maximum tolerated daily intake of the human body.
In fact, the highest value of manganese precipitation in the electric kettle found in the sampling was 1.168 mg/l, and to achieve the poisoning amount, it is necessary to drink 9 liters of such water per day, which is unlikely in daily life.
Further studies have also pointed out that even in the case of long-term use of electric kettles, the precipitation of manganese is extremely small, and the impact on human health is negligible.
This is because manganese exists in stainless steel materials in the form of dense tissues, which are not easily precipitated during boiling water. It can be seen that the safety of daily use of electric kettles is still very guaranteed.
So, what should you pay attention to when buying an electric kettle? The electric kettles on the market are mainly made of stainless steel, glass, ceramics and other materials, among which stainless steel kettles are usually divided into 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel, which are widely regarded as food-grade stainless steel and have high safety.
When purchasing, consumers should check the identification of the product, including the enterprise name, address, specification, model, trademark, voltage parameters, power parameters, symbols of the nature of the power supply, etc., and try to choose products with material descriptions.
In practical use, it is also very important to clean and maintain the electric kettle regularly. The accumulation of limescale will not only affect the water quality and taste, but also reduce the heating efficiency of the kettle and increase energy consumption.
When cleaning an electric kettle, you can use white vinegar or a special descaler to ensure that the inside is clean and prolongs its lifespan.
We can conclude that electric kettles under normal use conditions do not lead to excessive levels of heavy metal elements such as manganese or the risk of carcinogenesis.
Consumers only need to make sure that they buy products that meet national standards and pay attention to daily cleaning and maintenance, so they can use the electric kettle with peace of mind. So, the next time you boil water in an electric kettle, you can rest assured and enjoy a hot cup of tea.
Prevent heavy metal exposure
In modern life, heavy metal pollution has become a problem that cannot be ignored. Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, etc., can cause long-term negative effects on human health, even in trace amounts.
We use pots and pans every day, so the choice of materials is important. Preference is given to kitchen utensils made of stainless steel, glass or ceramic.
Stainless steel appliances are durable and easy to clean, while glass and ceramics are free of harmful substances and are safe to use. In particular, it is important to avoid aluminium products, as it may release trace amounts of metallic elements at high temperatures.
Also, it is best to choose a nonstick pan with a ceramic coating, which can reduce the risk of potential chemical exposure.
Then there is the cleaning and maintenance of the electric kettle. Regular cleaning of the electric kettle can prevent the accumulation of limescale, which may contain heavy metals.
Use a solution of white vinegar or citric acid mixed with water to clean the kettle, these natural ingredients are effective in removing limescale without causing harm to the human body.
When cleaning, always make sure the power supply is disconnected to avoid the risk of electric shock. Also, do not soak the bottom of the kettle in water to prevent rust.
Let's talk about water purification equipment. Household water purification equipment can effectively remove heavy metals and other pollutants from tap water. Common water purification equipment on the market includes ultrafiltration water purifiers, reverse osmosis water purifiers, and nanofiltration water purifiers.
Among them, reverse osmosis water purifiers are highly regarded for their efficient purification capacity, which can provide purified water for direct drinking. When choosing water purification equipment, you should consider the flow rate of the equipment, the waste water ratio, the cost of the filter element, and whether it has functions such as filter element life reminder.
In addition, the appropriate water purification equipment should be selected according to the size of the family's space and water quality.
By choosing safe kitchen utensils, properly cleaning and maintaining electric kettles, and choosing and using water purification equipment, we can effectively reduce our exposure to heavy metals in our daily lives.
So, stop worrying about heavy metal pollution. Through scientific methods and small changes in living habits, we can enjoy a purer and healthier life.
Everyone can start with themselves and protect the health of themselves and their families. In this way, not only will the water we drink safer, the kitchen utensils we use will be more secure, and the quality of life will be greatly improved. Let's take action together to cheer for a healthy life!
References are as follows:
[1] Health risk assessment of arsenic exposure of Chinese residents by drinking water route based on probabilistic method
[2] Age-stratified weights of non-carcinogenic risk of cadmium exposure in drinking water of Chinese residents
[3] Study on the effect of niobium on the high-temperature oxidation resistance of ferritic stainless steel