Your tea bag is releasing billions of microplastics

That soothing cup of tea you're enjoying might come with an unwanted addition: billions of microplastic particles. A groundbreaking study by researchers at McGill University has revealed that a single plastic tea bag can release approximately 11.6 billion microplastic particles and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles into your cup.

The research, led by Dr. Alba Garcia Rodriguez and published in the Environmental Science & Technology journal, examined the release of microplastics from plastic tea bags when steeped in hot water – the exact way most of us prepare our tea.

The numbers are staggering:

• 11.6 billion microplastic particles per cup
• 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles per cup
• These particles are small enough to be absorbed by your body
• The amount is thousands of times higher than other foods and beverages

What's particularly concerning is that these numbers are significantly higher than the plastic contamination reported in other foods and beverages. For comparison, table salt, often cited for its microplastic content, typically contains about 0.005 micrograms per gram.

How to avoid plastic in your tea:

• Use loose leaf tea with a stainless steel or bamboo infuser
• Choose tea bags made from unbleached paper without plastic sealants
• Look for brands that explicitly state their tea bags are plastic-free
• Avoid "silky" or "pyramid" tea bags – these are usually made from nylon or PET plastic

You can read the full study here. The research team used electron microscopy to analyze the particles and found that the temperature of the water plays a significant role in the release of these particles.

Until next time,

—Sherzod

PS: If you're wondering about paper tea bags, not all of them are safe either. Many paper tea bags contain a plastic sealant to help them maintain their shape when steeping. Look for brands that specifically mention using plastic-free sealing methods.