A study warns of the presence of thousands of microplastic particles in tea bags
The analysis detected between 555 and 2,498 microplastic particles in samples prepared using polyamide bags.
Illustration of a cup of tea
A study published in npj Science of Food identified between 555 and 2,498 microplastic particles in tea samples prepared using certain polyamide packaging. The researchers also analyzed the presence of BPA and phthalates, although the results do not prove that consuming these teas causes disease.
A study published this month in the scientific journal npj Science of Food analyzed the release of microplastics and chemicals during the preparation of tea using tea bags that contain plastic. The researchers examined various materials used in these wrappers and their potential contribution to the contamination of the beverage.
To conduct the analysis, as reported by The New York Post, scientists evaluated products from 14 brands that sold tea in tea bags. However, only four products—all made of polyamide (nylon)—were subjected to infusion testingThe other ten used paper bags and were excluded from this analysis.
The results showed that the samples prepared using the four polyamide bags released between 555 and 2,498 microplastic particles.
The study also examined samples of loose-leaf tea, but used a different procedure: the researchers dissolved the dried leaves in a chemical solution to count the particles and calculate an estimate equivalent to a two-gram serving.
Therefore, the results for loose-leaf tea do not come from an infusion prepared with hot water and are not directly comparable to those obtained from tea bags.
Chemicals That May Affect the Endocrine System Have Been Detected
In addition to counting microplastics, the scientists analyzed the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, substances linked to potential endocrine disruption.
The study examined samples of black and green tea, not herbal teas. The analyses identified the presence of BPA and phthalates in the products tested.
The authors estimated that BPA exposure could reach 21.7% of the reference limit established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)This calculation is based on a consumption scenario of 500 milliliters per day—approximately three cups—of the product with the highest BPA level.
This figure should be interpreted in light of that specific exposure scenario. According to data reported by the industry association, a single cup would account for approximately 6.5% of that reference limit.
The association also notes that the estimates of health and cancer risks calculated by the researchers were at levels considered negligible.
The results do not show that drinking tea made from these tea bags directly causes illness. Nor do they allow us to conclude that all brands or materials used in the manufacture of tea bags produce the same results.
The results have limitations
Furthermore, the study did not examine bags made from polylactic acid (PLA), a plant-based bioplastic. Therefore, its results do not allow for conclusions to be drawn regarding the release of particles from this material.
The U.S. Tea Association, together with the Canadian Tea and Infusions Association and the UK Tea and Infusions Association, has questioned several aspects of the interpretation of the results and has pointed out internal contradictions in the scientific article.
Among these, the association points out that the results section indicates that BPA intake from all brands was below the EFSA limit, while the study's conclusion states that this threshold was exceeded in all products.
This research adds to existing studies on the presence of microplastics and chemicals in food and beverages. However, further research is still needed to better understand the consequences of daily exposure to these particles and the differences among the materials used in consumer products.
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