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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[–] Agent641@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

C O O L

O

O

L

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 117 points 1 week ago (4 children)

What isn't releasing billions of microplastic particles? We're fucked.

[–] andrewta@lemmy.world 53 points 1 week ago (6 children)

When someone is getting laid and he drops a load in her, he’s probably injecting microplastics.

Just a thought for next time you are in bed with someone.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 39 points 1 week ago (8 children)

And if you don't- the condom? Also releasing microplastics. That glass of water you have afterwards because you're all hot and sweaty and thirsty? Also full of microplastics.

[–] SynonymousStoat@lemmy.world 22 points 1 week ago (1 children)

As long as you're using latex/nitrile condoms you should be good as latex and nitrile aren't plastics. Some of the alternatives for people with latex allergies can have plastic in them though.

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[–] tiefling@lemmy.blahaj.zone 18 points 1 week ago (2 children)

My tinfoil hat theory is that we're going to find out that toothbrushes are a major source of them

[–] Anarki_@lemmy.blahaj.zone 14 points 1 week ago (2 children)
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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) (6 children)

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

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[–] Lumidaub@feddit.org 41 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

Consumers are advised to ...

Consumers are advised to check whether tea bags in their region are even made of these materials.

Edit: Also, "billions"? The cookie warning is borked on the foodandwine.com article so I can't read it but: https://www.dpa-international.com/trends-and-features/urn:newsml:dpa.com:20090101:250109-99-540705/ "Tea bags releasing 'millions' of microplastics into tea, study shows" - where does that difference come from?

[–] MicroWave@lemmy.world 23 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

From the article:

To come to this conclusion, the team tested tea bags made from nylon-6, polypropylene, and cellulose, all typical packaging for teas. They found that when brewing tea, "polypropylene releases approximately 1.2 billion particles per milliliter, with an average size of 136.7 nanometres; cellulose releases about 135 million particles per milliliter, with an average size of 244 nanometres; while nylon-6 releases 8.18 million particles per milliliter, with an average size of 138.4 nanometres."

[–] kitnaht@lemmy.world 24 points 1 week ago (2 children)

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

[–] deranger@sh.itjust.works 28 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week 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.

[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 20 points 1 week ago (2 children)

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

[–] Albbi@lemmy.ca 33 points 1 week ago (3 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.

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[–] Lennnny@lemmy.world 24 points 1 week ago (7 children)

How many micro plastics are released when I cry?

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[–] random_character_a@lemmy.world 17 points 1 week ago (15 children)

Has anyone checked how much particles I produce when I wash my fleece jacket.

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[–] FartsWithAnAccent@lemmy.world 15 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

No it's not, because I use a stainless steel capsule and loose leaf tea, which is superior in every way (even if microplastics weren't an issue).

If you don't make your tea like this, do yourself a favor and upgrade to some quality loose leaf!

Edit: lol, I love that this is getting downvotes. Are there disposable teabag enthusiasts out there?

[–] yannic@lemmy.ca 33 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Your tea bag...

No, it's not, because I use something other than tea bags.

That's you. That's what you wrote.

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