Madrid, December 29 (ONA) – A study conducted by the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) has uncovered alarming findings about the release of micro- and nanoplastic (MNPL) particles from tea bags into water, sparking concerns over potential health risks.
Published in the journal Chemosphere, the research examined three types of tea bags and revealed that billions of plastic particles are released per milliliter of water.
Polypropylene tea bags were identified as the largest contributors, releasing an average of 1.2 billion particles per milliliter, followed by cellulose-based tea bags with 135 million particles and nylon-6 tea bags with 8.18 million particles.
Using sophisticated laser analysis, researchers measured the size of these particles, which ranged between 136 and 244 nanometers, and confirmed their composition.
The study also demonstrated that these particles can infiltrate human intestinal cells, potentially reaching the nucleus and disrupting cellular processes. Prolonged exposure to MNPL particles could lead to inflammation, genotoxicity, and even long-term health risks such as cancer.
The researchers emphasized the urgent need for stricter regulations on the use of plastics in food packaging to mitigate risks to human health and the environment. They also called for further investigation into MNPL contamination and its impact on ecosystems.
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