We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic contamination in some herbal teas and human risk assessment: Türkiye
Summary
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in four types of packaged herbal teas from five Turkish brands. They found microplastic fibers in all tea samples tested, with the highest particle counts in linden tea and teas brewed for five minutes, composed primarily of ethylene vinyl acetate, PET, and polyacrylonitrile polymers. The study classified all tested brands and tea types as having very high levels of microplastic contamination based on contamination factor analysis.
Over the past ten years, plastic pollution has become a prominent and concerning environmental problem that our society must address. This study focuses on packaged herbal tea, investigating the prevalence and effects of microplastics (MPs) on selected herbal teas (green tea, sage tea, linden tea, and chamomile tea). This study offers the first information on MP pollution in four packaged herbal teas from five Turkish brands (A, B, C, D, and E). A total of 20 samples belonging to 5 brands were analyzed. The analyses revealed the presence of MP fibers in all the teas studied. In examining 4 herbal teas from a single brand, MPs were detected in most brewed teas except for the E brand. The highest particle number was determined in Brand A, linden tea, and tea infusions brewed for 5 min. The chemical composition of these MP polymers consisted of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The size of MPs ranged from 35.67 to 604.87 μm. Based on the MP contamination factor (MPCF) classification, herbal tea brands and tea types had a very high level of contamination with MPs. The mean polymer hazard index (PHI) of all brands and all tea types was calculated as 4.15 and 6.47, respectively. Compared to males, females were subjected to higher MP loads.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic Pollution and Risk Assessment in Packaged Teas in Türkiye
Researchers analyzed 15 packaged tea brands in Turkey and found microplastics in every single one, with the highest concentrations in dry tea leaves removed from the bags. PET was the most common plastic type, and fiber-shaped particles dominated. The study calculated that daily tea drinkers are regularly consuming microplastics, with men potentially exposed to more than women due to higher consumption, raising questions about this overlooked route of human exposure.
Microplastic contamination in some beverages marketed in türkiye: Characteristics, dietary exposure and risk assessment
Researchers tested 47 different beverages sold in Turkey and found microplastics in about one in five samples, with cold tea showing the highest contamination levels. While the estimated daily intake from these beverages was considered a low physical health risk, the study confirms that packaged drinks are a routine source of microplastic exposure for consumers.
Investigating the release of microplastics from tea bags into tea drinks and human exposure assessment
Researchers tested tea bags from five brands in Iran and found that every brand released microplastics into the tea, with an average of over 500,000 particles per bag. The most common plastics were cellulose acetate and nylon fibers, mostly in the 10-50 micrometer size range. Based on typical tea consumption, children and adults could be ingesting thousands of microplastic particles per kilogram of body weight daily just from drinking tea.
Behavior, Characteristics and Sources of Microplastics in Tea
This review examines microplastic contamination in tea and tea products, covering how microplastics enter tea from packaging materials, processing, and brewing equipment, and summarizing findings on particle abundance and polymer types detected in this widely consumed beverage.
First evidence of microplastic contamination in bottled herbal distillates: A quantitative and qualitative assessment of Iranian brands
Researchers detected microplastics in 92% of Iranian bottled herbal distillate samples, finding an average contamination level of 7.32 particles per liter, primarily fibers and fragments smaller than 500 micrometers in transparent, white, or black colors. The study provides the first evidence of microplastic contamination in bottled herbal distillates, implicating plastic packaging used during production, transportation, and storage as potential contamination sources.