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Plastic Teabags Release Billions of Microparticles and Nanoparticles into Tea
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Researchers discovered that steeping a single plastic teabag at brewing temperature releases approximately 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics into a cup of tea. These particle levels are several orders of magnitude higher than those previously reported in other foods. Toxicity testing on water fleas showed that exposure to these released particles caused dose-dependent behavioral and developmental effects.
The increasing presence of micro- and nano-sized plastics in the environment and food chain is of growing concern. Although mindful consumers are promoting the reduction of single-use plastics, some manufacturers are creating new plastic packaging to replace traditional paper uses, such as plastic teabags. The objective of this study was to determine whether plastic teabags could release microplastics and/or nanoplastics during a typical steeping process. We show that steeping a single plastic teabag at brewing temperature (95 °C) releases approximately 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics into a single cup of the beverage. The composition of the released particles is matched to the original teabags (nylon and polyethylene terephthalate) using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The levels of nylon and polyethylene terephthalate particles released from the teabag packaging are several orders of magnitude higher than plastic loads previously reported in other foods. An initial acute invertebrate toxicity assessment shows that exposure to only the particles released from the teabags caused dose-dependent behavioral and developmental effects.
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This review looks at how microplastics and nanoplastics end up in tea, with plastic teabags being the biggest culprit, releasing over a billion tiny particles per bag when steeped in hot water. Even biodegradable and composite tea bags release significant amounts of plastic particles, raising health concerns given that tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world.
Tea bags as hidden source of micro- and nanoplastics: a systematic review for food safety.
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Researchers systematically reviewed 19 studies on microplastic and nanoplastic release from tea bags during brewing, finding that plastic-containing bags—particularly polypropylene and nylon—release billions of particles per bag at typical brewing temperatures, with release rates shaped by material type, water temperature, brew time, and agitation, though standardized detection methods remain lacking.
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Steeping your tea in a plastic tea bag might be doing more than flavoring your cup — a review of 22 studies found that a single plastic tea bag can shed hundreds of thousands to billions of tiny plastic particles (microplastics and nanoplastics) into your hot water during brewing. These particles are small enough to enter your body, and while scientists are still studying the health effects, this research suggests switching to paper, loose-leaf, or plastic-free tea bags could reduce your exposure.
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Researchers measured the release of microplastic particles from tea bags during brewing, finding that plastic particles leach into the hot beverage. This study highlights an often-overlooked source of microplastic ingestion through everyday food and drink preparation.
Microplastics and phthalate esters release from teabags into tea drink: occurrence, human exposure, and health risks
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Researchers tested 45 teabag brands and found that a single teabag can release hundreds of microplastic particles and harmful phthalate chemicals into tea during brewing. Based on typical tea consumption, children could ingest about 486 microplastics daily and adults about 810 just from teabag-brewed tea. The phthalate DEHP, found in the teabags, showed cancer risk levels for both children and adults, highlighting teabags as a significant and overlooked source of microplastic and chemical exposure.
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