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Your tea bag is likely releasing billions of microplastic particles, according to a new study (www.foodandwine.com)

submitted 13 hours ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

57 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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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[–] [email protected] 19 points 13 hours ago (2 children)

Cellulose is just plant fiber. You're literally boiling tea leaves which are themselves made of plant fiber! This is silly.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 13 hours ago* (last edited 13 hours ago)

This is not silly; the study is not to determine if these are harmful or not, just what's released from boiling a teabag.

I'm not knowledgeable in this area of research nor am I about to spend an hour going over the paper to write this comment, but collecting data on seemingly mundane things is important too.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 13 hours ago (2 children)

It's likely that the cellulose is treated or coated with something that breaks down during steeping.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 12 hours ago (2 children)

I wanted to look this up with my brand of tea, and they do line their cellulose bags with plastic.

From https://tetley.ca/pages/faq

100% of our portfolio is in paper tissue format. Currently the majority of our tea bags are made from natural plant fibres with a thin inner layer of a plastic material called PP which enables the bags to be heat sealed to keep the tea firmly in the bag (0.03 g per bag). Recently, we transitioned our Orange Pekoe range to plant-based tea bags which are made with PLA tissue. PLA is a bioplastic derived from plant sources. Using plant-based tea bags across all our products is an important part of our sustainability strategy and commitment to reduce the use of non-renewable plastics in our business.

Ugh. I stayed far away from those David's Tea completely plastic bags but was really hoping that cellulose bags would be fine. Turns our they just have to put plastic in everything. I don't want plastic anywhere near hot water that I'm consuming.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 hours ago

I did the same with mine -- prepared for the worst, but pleasantly surprised:

WHAT IS THE FILTER PAPER MADE OF THAT YOU USE IN YOUR TEA BAGS?

The filter paper used for Yamamotoyama tea bags is made from 100% cellulose fibers (wood). Test results conclude that chlorine dioxide is not present in our tea bag filter paper. The filter paper is not coated with the compound epichlorohydrin, and does not contain any free epichlorohydrin. Yamamotoyama tea bag filter paper is machine folded and pressed, therefore no glue is needed or used. Our teabags are completely compostable.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 hours ago

Heh PLA. While it is made from starch it's also not (really) biodegradable, it just is in a very controlled environment.

And PLA still is plastic.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 13 hours ago

A lot of paper food storage products are coated with pfas. I'm not sure if tea bags are but it's a possibility.