New study reveals tea bags release billions of microplastics into water

A recent study by researchers at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) highlights the alarming release of micro- and nanoplastic (MNPL) particles from tea bags into water, Science Alert said.

The study, published in Chemosphere, analyzed three types of tea bags and found that billions of plastic fragments are released per milliliter of water, raising concerns about potential health impacts.

Tea bags made from polypropylene released the highest amount, averaging 1.2 billion particles per milliliter, while cellulose and nylon-6 bags released 135 million and 8.18 million particles respectively.

The researchers used advanced laser techniques to analyze the size and composition of these particles, which ranged from 136 to 244 nanometers. Further tests showed that MNPLs could penetrate human intestinal cells and reach the nucleus, potentially affecting cellular functions.

The team warned that these particles might contribute to health issues like inflammation, genotoxicity, and long-term risks such as cancer, calling for stricter regulations on the use of plastics in food packaging to address growing concerns over MNPL contamination and its effects on ecosystems and human health.