December 21, 2024 – Study Unveils Hidden Health Risks of Popular Tea Bags
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham has shed light on the concealed dangers lurking in the seemingly innocuous tea bags found on store shelves. The research, published in the latest edition of Environmental Chemistry, reveals that these polymer-based tea bags release a staggering amount of microplastics and nanoplastic particles (MNPLs) during the brewing process, which can enter the human bloodstream and disseminate throughout the body.
The scientific team scrutinized tea bags made of nylon-6, polypropylene, and cellulose. Their findings were alarming: each milliliter of brewed tea could release over a billion plastic microparticles. Polypropylene tea bags were found to be the worst offenders, with an average of approximately 1.2 billion particles per milliliter. These particles, ranging in size from 138 to 244 nanometers, are small enough to penetrate the intestinal mucus layer, be absorbed by cells, and even reach the cell nucleus.
To analyze these microplastics more precisely, the researchers employed high-tech tools such as scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM), as reported by AsiaMB. Their investigations revealed that intestinal mucus plays a pivotal role in the absorption of these particles, sparking widespread concern in the food safety industry. Consequently, the researchers are urging further studies to explore the long-term health implications of consuming tea from these bags.
With the widespread use of plastic food packaging materials, the issue of microplastic particle pollution has become increasingly prominent. The researchers emphasize the urgent need for standardized testing methods and regulatory policies to effectively control MNPL contamination and safeguard public health. This latest study not only sounds another warning bell for food safety but also highlights the importance and urgency of addressing microplastic particle pollution for the future of our environment and human health.