Your tea bag is likely releasing billions of microplastic particles, according to a new study
Your tea bag is likely releasing billions of microplastic particles, according to a new study
Research from the Autonomous University of Barcelona in Spain found that individual tea bags steeped in boiling water can release billions of micro- and nanoplastic particles. Here's what to know.
Summary
A new study from Spain’s Autonomous University of Barcelona reveals that tea bags made from nylon, polypropylene, and cellulose release billions of micro- and nanoplastic particles when steeped in boiling water.
These particles, which can enter human intestinal cells, may pose health risks, potentially affecting the digestive, respiratory, endocrine, and immune systems.
Researchers urge regulatory action to mitigate plastic contamination in food packaging.
Consumers are advised to use loose-leaf tea with stainless steel infusers or biodegradable tea bags to minimize exposure.
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This warning only applies to the pyramid tea bags and not the paper sachet.
It did list cellulose bags as one source, however I don't quite understand how. Additive to strengthen the material?
Plastic coating to make the bag more resistant to heat.
Cellulose isn't plastic though, it's the sugar that makes up plant cell walls, like wood. Cotton fibers are 90% cellulose https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulose
I'm confused why they included cellulose without clarifying that it's not a petrochemical, unless cellulose micro and nano particles are also an issue now. Maybe I should read the original study...
What I meant to say is that the cellulose is coated with plastic. I learned this from another post in the same thread.
Could also be to keep them white? I used to see teabags last century (and health food shop teabags nowadays) yellowing similarly but commercial Twinings tea bags these days remain white - could be a chemical impregnated into the paper but that seems likely to leach into the tea.
They close the bags with a dot of plastic based glue so it doesn't open
Oh my god. I think I'll just go back to my teapot.
The square with crimped edges bags have plastic in the paper so that the edges will fuse closed.
Phew! Thought I was giga fucked there for a minute