Epoch HealthTea Bags Shed Microplastics, Gut Cells Absorb Them: Study

Recent research published in Chemosphere reveals that tea bags release significant quantities of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs) during brewing, with different materials showing varying rates of particle shedding. The study examined nylon, polypropylene, and cellulose tea bags under simulated brewing conditions while investigating the interaction between these particles and human gut cells.

Key Points:

• Tea bags release approximately 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics per bag during brewing – significantly higher than the 240,000 particles per liter found in bottled water according to 2024 data
• Polypropylene tea bags demonstrated the highest MNPL release, followed by cellulose bags, while nylon bags showed the lowest particle shedding due to their woven structure and resistance to breakage
• Surface irregularities in tea bag fibers, particularly in polypropylene and cellulose materials, contribute to increased MNPL release during brewing
• In vitro studies using colon cancer cell lines revealed that mucus-producing cells absorb MNPLs more readily, with particles reaching cell nuclei within 24 hours at 100 micrograms per milliliter concentration
• Additional plastic exposure may occur through water, tea leaves, and plastic kettles, as identified in a February 2025 Food Chemistry study

“More obvious effects are seen on epithelial cells, such as those in the digestive system, potentially leading to conditions like irritable bowel disease, and in the respiratory system, possibly triggering or worsening respiratory issues.”
— Bryan Quoc Le, food scientist

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