Enjoying a single cup of tea brewed with a disposable tea bag might unknowingly expose you to billions of microplastic particles. These particles have been linked to a range of health concerns, including heart problems, fertility issues, and certain cancers.
Researchers recently tested tea bags made from materials like nylon-6, polypropylene, and cellulose. The results, published in the journal Chemosphere, revealed that all tested tea bags released microplastics into the brewed tea. Among them, polypropylene was the most significant contributor, releasing approximately 1.2 billion microplastic particles per milliliter (mL) of tea water. Cellulose released about 135 million particles per mL, while nylon-6 contributed around 8.2 million particles per mL.
“This is a lot, so if you drink a lot, you are exposed to a lot,” says Dr. Martha Gulati, a professor and director of preventive cardiology at Cedars-Sinai, who was not involved in the study.
What Are Microplastics and Nanoplastics?
Microplastics are particles less than 5 micrometers in size, and nanoplastics are even smaller, measuring under 1 micrometer. For context, these particles are thousands of times smaller than a grain of rice, making them impossible to detect in everyday life.
Unfortunately, microplastics are everywhere — in the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe. This widespread presence means reducing exposure requires deliberate efforts.
How Worried Should You Be About Using Tea Bags?
The concern around microplastics in tea bags is still being studied. “It is hard to know how worried people should be regarding exposure to microplastics in general, much less in their tea,” says Samantha Bear, a senior research scientist at SimpleLab, a water-testing startup.
While this area of research is still relatively new, early findings raise concerns. “There is growing evidence that ingesting microplastics could impact the gut microbiome, the hormonal system, and even increase cancer risk,” explains Dr. Luz Claudio, a professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Although the full effects are not yet understood, experts recommend minimizing exposure. “We definitely don’t want to add to our already high microplastic exposure through regular tea consumption if we can avoid it,” says Claudio.
Dr. Gulati echoes this sentiment: “While we are at the early stages of understanding microplastics, I suggest avoiding them as much as possible, given the data that is emerging.”
How to Minimize Exposure to Microplastics in Tea
Although avoiding microplastics entirely is challenging, there are practical steps to limit exposure when brewing tea, according to senior study author Dr. Alba García-Rodríguez of the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
- Switch to Loose-Leaf Tea:
Loose-leaf tea eliminates the risk of plastic contamination from tea bags. - Use Stainless Steel or Glass Infusers:
Brewing loose tea with these materials helps reduce exposure to microplastics. - Brew and Strain:
Prepare loose tea in a kettle and use a strainer to remove leaves after brewing. - Choose Plastic-Free Tea Bags:
If you prefer tea bags, opt for brands that specifically advertise plastic-free or biodegradable options made from plant-based materials like paper, hemp, or cornstarch. - Avoid Microwaving Tea Bags:
Microwaving nylon tea bags can significantly increase microplastic release, so it’s best to use traditional brewing methods instead.
Lastly, remember that even organic tea isn’t necessarily free of microplastics. Organic labeling often refers to how tea leaves are grown and doesn’t guarantee that the bags are plastic-free.
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