"Microplastics have been linked to increased cancer risk, heart attacks, infertility, and more. While this may feel overwhelming as avoiding all microplastics in the environment is nearly impossible, there are steps you can take to reduce exposure to them."
"In a 2024 study, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona showed that when introduced to hot water for brewing, commercial tea bags made with polymers including nylon-6, polypropylene and cellulose 'release millions of microplastics.'"
"Other studies have shown that brewing one single serving of tea in a bag made from plastics can release over 11 billion microplastics and 3 billion nanoplastics."
"Not only are they filled with microplastics and other dangerous substances, but those substances in commercial tea bags also take up to a century to decompose."
Microplastics are found in air, water, and food, with individuals potentially consuming a credit card's worth weekly. They have been detected in various human body parts, including blood and organs. The smallest microplastics, nanoplastics, can enter human cells. Linked to serious health risks like cancer and infertility, microplastics are difficult to avoid. Switching to plastic-free tea bags can significantly reduce exposure, as many commercial bags release billions of microplastics when brewed, contributing to long-term health concerns.
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