Are Electric Kettles Bad For You?
Electric Kettles are must-have kitchen appliances due to its several applications. The convenience it brought to your life is irreplaceable, but it is time to conceive some studies about electric kettles.
Where scientific facts and energy efficiency stands out electric kettles best from the rest, few studies have also concluded it’s dangerous to our health and environment. Risks associated with electric kettles are due to elements used in its manufacturing. We will go deep and understand why these elements are creating problems and what is the solution. This article will give you a clear picture of its side effects so that you can quickly evaluate whether you should use this cooking luxury or not. Also, it will help you acknowledge which kind of electric kettle you should buy.
How plastics in electric kettle make it vulnerable?
Today we are using a lot of utensils made up of plastics. Plastic utensils that are used for cold work are not dangerous to that extent, but when we keep hot things in plastic utensils, the upper layer of artificial surface starts melting, and it gets mixed with the liquid. Along with the liquid, these dangerous compounds also go into your body.
One of those dangerous compounds is BPA, which is known for having many health degrading properties. BPA is a synthetic compound that acts like hormones. It is used in making hard plastics, one which is used for making the plastic electrical kettle as well. When you boil water in your pot or make tea, these BPA also mixed with it. Once after going inside the body, BPA starts impacting several systems of our body, like the reproductive system, neurological system, and respiratory system. The presence of toxic BPA compounds in higher amounts in our body can lead to infertility or other sexual disorders, cancer, and potentially cause Alzheimer’s in old persons.
What to do for ceasing this risk?
The first step should be to stop using plastic electric kettles. It doesn’t mean you have to give off using electric kettles. Try to find a more suitable BPA free electric kettle. Keep in mind that BPA only comes from the contact of plastic, hence find a kettle where there is zero or minimal contact of plastic with the boiling liquid. You can use stainless steel kettles rather than plastic kettles to get rid of this problem. In the market, several electric kettles are available, which are free of BPA.
How does nickel in electric kettles make it vulnerable?
Nickel is not very toxic in general, but it is hazardous for one who is allergic to nickel. In a study, it is found that 12 out of 30 electric kettles release more than 50 microgram/L of metal. More than 50 microgram/L is dangerous because 50 microgram/L is the threshold value. If more than this will be consumed, health risks can arise.
Every time you make your tea, boil water or brew a coffee in an electric kettle, it consists of some nickel in it. Nickel is found in many food materials, including coffee, tea, and chocolate, but it is interesting to know how it is leached from an electric kettle.
The heating element of an electric kettle is known for its high resistance property. Often nickel is used in the heating element because of its semiconductive property. When the heating element or plate is in direct contact with the boiling water or tea, the nickel will be mixed to it.
How to find an electric kettle producing less nickel?
While purchasing any electric kettle make sure, the heating element should not be exposed with liquid. Another precaution is to check the nickel emission rating before buying, as per health experts 50micrograms/ L is a threshold, but go for even lesser. If you are allergic to nickel, if you feel skin allergy while wearing nickel-coated jewelry, then it is better not to have an electric kettle that emits nickel.
How lead and other toxic elements leached from electric kettles can be harmful?
Lead is leached out from ceramic electric kettles. Lead can be harmful to health as it can cause anemia, neurological damages, kidney damage, etc. Lead can deteriorate filters in nerves, which stops toxic materials from entering our brain. Lead is also leached when the heating coil is directly exposed to the beverage.
Copper used inside an electric kettle is also harmful because it can impact the brain. So it is better not to go for that kind of kettle. Similarly, aluminum kettles are also bad for health as it affects the blood purifying barrier in the brain.
Using cast-iron kettle can also be riskier because it will dissolve a lot of iron particles in beverages, which can imitate a lot of health risks. The coated element in a kettle is also hazardous as it releases lead when heated.
How to buy good electrical kettle?
While purchasing a fine electrical kettle, it is essential to keep the point mentioned above in mind. The first thing that needs to be considered while buying an excellent electrical kettle is, it should not be made up of plastic. We have already studied the harmful effects of BPA, so certain materials should not be made up of plastic as well as minimum exposure of plastic material with liquid inside the kettle.
The question comes, when not plastic, then what element it should be made up of. Stainless steel of high quality is the answer because we have seen side effects of copper, cast iron, ceramic, and aluminum. Only good quality stainless steel is a better option for an electric kettle. While buying stainless steel kettle, make sure its heating element is not in direct contact with the liquid inside the kettle because direct exposure of heating elements can cause the release of toxic nickel in beverages.
Also, check the power rating, capacity, and insulation of the electric kettle. These factors have nothing to do with chemistry but, having an electric kettle will save power; good insulation will save you from getting an electric shock, and capacity should be as per your need.
