this post was submitted on 10 Jan 2025
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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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[–] ChicoSuave@lemmy.world 75 points 1 week ago (3 children)

This warning only applies to the pyramid tea bags and not the paper sachet.

[–] random_character_a@lemmy.world 29 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

It did list cellulose bags as one source, however I don't quite understand how. Additive to strengthen the material?

[–] Danquebec@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

Plastic coating to make the bag more resistant to heat.

[–] Eiri@lemmy.ca 11 points 1 week ago

Oh my god. I think I'll just go back to my teapot.

[–] Teanut@lemmy.world 11 points 1 week ago (2 children)

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...

[–] Danquebec@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 week ago (1 children)

What I meant to say is that the cellulose is coated with plastic. I learned this from another post in the same thread.

[–] Welt@lazysoci.al 1 points 6 days ago

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.

[–] Lemming6969@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

They close the bags with a dot of plastic based glue so it doesn't open

[–] tektite@slrpnk.net 13 points 1 week ago

The square with crimped edges bags have plastic in the paper so that the edges will fuse closed.

[–] dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago

Phew! Thought I was giga fucked there for a minute