In a concerning discovery for tea lovers everywhere, scientists have found that a simple cup of tea might come with an unwanted extra ingredient: billions of microscopic plastic particles. A new study reveals that common tea bags can release substantial amounts of micro and nanoplastics (MNPLs) into your brew during the steeping process.
The research, conducted by a team of scientists from Spain, Egypt, and Germany, and published in Chemosphere, examined three different types of commercial tea bags: those made from nylon-6, polypropylene, and cellulose. What they found was startling. A single tea bag can release anywhere from 8 million to 1.2 billion nanoplastic particles into your cup, with polypropylene bags being the worst offenders.
These plastic particles are incredibly tiny – most are smaller than a human hair’s width – and can be readily absorbed by the cells in our digestive system. The researchers discovered that different types of intestinal cells interact with these particles in varying ways, with some cells taking up more particles than others. Of particular concern was the finding that these nanoplastics can interact with cell nuclei, where our genetic material is stored.
“We have managed to innovatively characterize these pollutants with a set of cutting-edge techniques, which is a very important tool to advance research on their possible impacts on human health,” says Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona researcher Alba Garcia in a media release.
The study’s findings add to growing concerns about our daily exposure to microplastics through food and beverages. While plastic tea bags have become increasingly popular due to their durability and convenience, this research suggests we might be paying an unexpected health price for this modern convenience.
When examining the tea bags under powerful microscopes, the researchers found various surface irregularities, including scales, spheres, and irregular particles. These imperfections, which can appear during the manufacturing process, may contribute to the release of plastic particles during steeping.
The study raises particular concerns about how these particles interact with our digestive system. The researchers tested three different types of human intestinal cells, including ones that produce protective mucus similar to our gut lining. Interestingly, cells that produced more mucus tended to accumulate more plastic particles, suggesting that our body’s natural defensive barriers might actually trap these unwanted materials.
While the immediate health implications of consuming these particles remain unclear, the research highlights an important source of plastic exposure that many people might not be aware of. With tea being one of the world’s most popular beverages, the cumulative exposure to these particles could be significant for regular tea drinkers.
“As the use of plastic in food packaging continues to increase, it is vital to address MNPLs contamination to ensure food safety and protect public health,” the researchers conclude.
