A recent study found that brewing tea with certain disposable tea bags releases tiny plastic particles into hot water.
Crucial Findings:
- Many commonly used disposable tea bags shed microplastics when steeped in hot water.
- Heating tea bags in a microwave may further increase the release of microplastics.
- Using loose-leaf tea instead of tea bags can help minimize exposure to these plastic particles.
Brewing Tea May Expose You to Billions of Microplastic Particles
Drinking a single cup of tea made using a disposable tea bag may introduce billions of microplastic particles into your body, a concerning finding given the potential health risks associated with plastic consumption. Microplastics have been linked to a range of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, fertility complications, and certain cancers. A recent study published in Chemosphere sheds light on the extent of plastic contamination in tea and how different materials contribute to the problem.
The Study: Measuring Plastic Release in Tea Bags
Researchers analyzed several common types of disposable tea bags made from materials such as nylon-6, polypropylene, and cellulose. Their findings revealed that all tested materials shed microplastic particles into hot water during the brewing process. However, the severity of plastic release varied significantly depending on the material used.
According to the study, polypropylene was the biggest contributor, releasing approximately 1.2 billion microplastic particles per milliliter (mL) of tea water. Cellulose tea bags shed around 135 million particles per mL, while nylon-6 released about 8.2 million particles per mL.
“This is a lot, so if you drink a lot, you are exposed to a lot,” explains Martha Gulati, MD, a professor and director of preventive cardiology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. Although Dr. Gulati was not involved in the study, she acknowledges the growing body of evidence linking microplastic exposure to health concerns.
The Ubiquity of Microplastics in Everyday Life
Microplastics and nanoplastics are nearly impossible to detect in daily life. Microplastics are defined as particles smaller than 5 micrometers—thousands of times smaller than a grain of rice—while nanoplastics measure less than 1 micrometer. These tiny particles have permeated the environment and are found in the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe.
“It is hard to know how worried people should be regarding exposure to microplastics in general, much less in their tea,” says Samantha Bear, a senior research scientist at SimpleLab, a water testing startup in Berkeley, California. Bear, who was not involved in the study, points out that the science of microplastics is still in its early stages, and much of the research is based on laboratory experiments and animal studies.
Potential Health Risks of Ingesting Microplastics
Despite the field being relatively new, growing concerns surround the impact of ingesting microplastics on human health.
“There is growing concern about the potential health impacts of ingesting microplastics because of their potential to cause effects in the gut microbiome and the hormonal system, inflammation, or increased cancer risk,” says Luz Claudio, PhD, a professor of environmental medicine and public health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Dr. Claudio, who was also not involved in the study, cautions against dismissing the potential risks, given the increasing exposure to microplastics through various sources.
Even though the full effects of microplastics on the human body are not yet fully understood, experts recommend minimizing exposure whenever possible.
“I know we are at the earliest stages of understanding microplastics, but I recommend we avoid them as much as possible, given the data that is emerging,” adds Dr. Gulati.
How to Reduce Your Exposure to Microplastics in Tea
While avoiding microplastics entirely may be unrealistic, there are practical steps tea drinkers can take to limit their exposure.
“Loose-leaf tea is one of the most effective ways to minimize exposure to micro- and nanoplastics,” advises Alba García-Rodríguez, PhD, an assistant professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and senior author of the study. “By avoiding tea bags altogether, you eliminate the risk of plastic contamination from the bag itself.”
For those who prefer loose tea, brewing it with a stainless steel or glass infuser is an excellent alternative to disposable tea bags. Another effective method is steeping loose tea in a kettle and then straining the leaves before consumption.
If disposable tea bags remain a preference, consumers should look for plastic-free options. Dr. García-Rodríguez cautions against assuming that organic tea is free of plastic contamination.
“While organic tea often refers to how the tea leaves are grown, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee that the tea bags are free of plastics,” she explains. “To avoid exposure, look for brands that specifically advertise plastic-free or biodegradable tea bags made from plant-based materials like paper, hemp, or cornstarch.”
The Role of Microwaving in Plastic Release
One additional concern highlighted by recent studies is the effect of microwaving on plastic release. Research has shown that microwaving nylon tea bags after steeping significantly increases the release of microplastics into the tea.
This suggests that using a traditional kettle or heating water separately before adding a tea bag may help reduce the amount of microplastics leaching into the beverage.
Final Thoughts
While research on microplastics and their long-term health effects is ongoing, experts agree that taking steps to minimize exposure is a prudent approach. Whether by switching to loose-leaf tea, using plastic-free tea bags, or avoiding microwaving disposable tea bags, small changes can contribute to reducing microplastic intake.
“We definitely don’t want to add to the already high exposure through regular tea consumption if we can avoid it, because this could lead to accumulation in the body over time,” says Dr. Claudio.
As scientific understanding of microplastics evolves, consumers can make informed choices to safeguard their health while still enjoying their daily cup of tea.