Tea Bags Can Unleash Billions Of Microplastic Particles During The Steeping Process
In some devastating news for tea lovers, scientists have found that your soothing cup of tea might come with a side of plastic.
A recent study has shown that tea bags can unleash billions of microplastic particles into your brew during the steeping process.
A team of scientists from Germany, Spain, and Egypt conducted the research. They investigated three different types of commercial tea bags. They were made from nylon-6, polypropylene, and cellulose. The research team’s findings were appalling.
They used laser techniques to measure the physical and chemical properties of particles released from the tea bags.
Ultimately, they discovered that a single tea bag can shed between eight million and 1.2 billion nanoplastic particles into your cup. Polypropylene bags yielded the worst results.
These plastic particles are extremely tiny and can be easily absorbed by our digestive system. The researchers also tested how different types of human intestinal cells interact with the plastic particles.
“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,” said Alba Garcia, a microbiologist from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).
Overall, mucus-producing cells accumulated more particles, suggesting that our bodies actually trap the harmful materials.
These cells produce protective mucus and are supposed to act as a natural defensive barrier. But in the case of microplastics, they are getting past our defenses.
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One of the most concerning findings was that the nanoplastics can interact with cell nuclei, which is where our genetic material is stored.
The new study adds to research about daily exposure to microplastics having negative long-term effects on our health.
Plastic tea bags have become more popular because they are durable and convenient to use, but the toll they’re taking on our health does not seem to be worth it.
When the researchers looked at the tea bags under powerful microscopes, they detected surface irregularities. These imperfections can occur during the manufacturing process and contribute to the release of plastic particles when the tea is being steeped.
Tea is one of the most beloved beverages in the world. It is also a major source of plastic exposure that most people probably are not aware of. For those who drink it on a regular basis, the exposure to plastic particles could be highly significant.
The research team is calling for more regulations on the use of plastics in food packaging in order to better protect public health.
“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,” concluded the researchers.
The study was published in the journal Chemosphere.
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