Tea bags, widely used for their convenience, may pose a hidden health risk, according to a study conducted by the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Researchers found that the polymer-based materials commonly used in commercial tea bags release millions of microplastics and nanoplastics into the tea when infused. These tiny particles can be absorbed by the human body, potentially entering the bloodstream and spreading throughout the body.

The study highlights that food packaging, including tea bags, is a significant source of microplastic (MNPL) contamination, with inhalation and ingestion being the main routes of exposure. The research team successfully identified and characterized the micro and nanoplastics released from several types of commercially available tea bags made from materials such as nylon-6, polypropylene, and cellulose. When brewing tea, polypropylene released an alarming 1.2 billion particles per milliliter, cellulose released 135 million particles per milliliter, and nylon-6 released over 8 million particles per milliliter. These particles ranged in size from 136 to 244 nanometers, small enough to potentially impact human health.

Microbiologist Alba Garcia-Rodriguez from UAB emphasized the importance of this research in advancing our understanding of the health risks posed by these pollutants. The study provides a cutting-edge analysis of the issue and raises questions about the potential long-term effects of consuming microplastics and nanoplastics through everyday products like tea bags.