Tea bags can release up to a billion plastic particles during infusion

An analysis of 19 scientific studies concluded that compounds in plastic-based sachets can release millions of microplastics into the drink. One experiment detected 14.7 billion particles per sachet.

A recent scientific review in Food Chemistry on the presence of microplastics in tea bags.

19 previous scientific studies on microplastics and nanoplastics, collectively called MNPs, in tea were analyzed. These particles are extremely small, with microplastics measuring up to five millimeters and nanoplastics being even smaller than a micrometer. To give you an idea, many of these particles are much smaller than the width of a human hairmaking them invisible to the naked eye and difficult to detect.

Some tea bags that appear to be made of paper actually contain plastic components. Pyramid-shaped sachets may use plastic mesh, while others are sealed with polypropylene to keep the structure in hot water. Even some sachets labeled as biodegradable or compostable may still contain plastic-based materials.

Studies analyzed in the article reported impressive results. Under laboratory conditions, certain plastic tea bags released billions of microscopic particles in a single cup of tea. One experiment estimated about 14.7 billion particles per sachet, while another found about 1.3 billion. However, researchers warn that these numbers vary greatly depending on the testing methodsfiltration sizes and laboratory conditions.

Scientists emphasize that measuring microplastics is complex. Different studies use different detection techniques, and the contamination from laboratory equipmentair or clothing may affect results. This makes it difficult to directly compare the findings or translate them into real-world exposure levels, says the .

In addition to the particles themselves, researchers have also detected plastic-related chemicals in tea infusions, including plasticizers and compounds linked to packaging materials. It is still unclear how exactly these substances get into the drink: whether through leaching from tea bags, decomposition of particles or contamination during processing.

It is important to highlight that the review does not conclude that tea consumption poses a risk proven for health. Most current evidence comes from laboratory or animal studies rather than long-term human research.