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⚕️ MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen, diet, or supplement use, especially if you have existing medical conditions or take medications. The information presented here should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, and is often associated with perceived health benefits. Unfortunately, most teabags are made of plastics. Consequently, teabags release microplastics and nanoplastics into the tea itself. Ultimately, these particles enter our bodies. Understanding how teabags shed plastic particles requires an understanding of how they’re made, how they interact with heat, and what laboratory assessments have shown. If you’re interested in estimating your daily microplastic intake, check out our app here.
Many teabags are designed to maintain structural integrity during steeping, especially at near boiling temperatures. To achieve this goal, manufacturers often use synthetic polymers whose mechanical stability comes at the cost of particle shedding under thermal stress. When put in hot water, these polymers undergo physical and chemical degradation that fragments the teabags into microplastics and nanoplastics [4].
Experiments have shown that soaking a single plastic teabag at approximately just under boiling point can release between 3.1 billion microplastic particles and 11.6 billion nanoplastic particles into one cup of tea [1,2]. These are extreme values though, and have been heavily scrutinized. Another finding from Banaei et al. (2023) found that home brews released roughly one million polylactic acid (PLA) nanoplastics from each teabag [5].
On the contrary to these three studies, Kashfi et al. (2023) found an average of 147 or 412 microplastics per teabag, depending on the tea bag brands and with ranges of 55 to 323 microplastic particles and 73 to 1447 microplastic particles, respectively [6]. Compared to other beverage sources, such as bottled water or beer, the particle load from a single plastic teabag is orders of magnitude higher [3].
So far, we’ve focused exclusively on microplastics and nanoplastics from teabags, but we haven’t discussed microplastics that come from loose leaf tea leaves and tea powders. Xing et al. (2024) demonstrated that microplastics were introduced into dry teas during the manufacturing process[7]. Specifically, they found an average of 2266 ± 1206 microplastic particles per kilogram of tea. Translating this finding to a single serving of tea, we come to about 3-5 microplastics per tea drink.
Xing’s findings are two orders of magnitudes smaller than Li et al. (2022). This group found 200 to 500 microplastics per gram of dry tea[8]. As we constantly remind our audience, quantifying microplastics depends entirely on the method of analysis.
At least four studies have found that microplastics are released from bottled and iced teas. In Hong Kong, a study from Lam et al. (2024) found an average of 36.4 ± 36.9 microplastics per liter of tea. Assuming an 8 ounce bottle, this is roughly 7 microplastics per bottle [9]. In Mexico, Shruti et al. (2020) found 1 to 11 microplastics per liter of bottled tea [10]. Crosta et al. (2023) in Italy found 7.1 ± 2.6 microplastic per liter [11]. Finally, and optimistically, Basaran et al. (2024) didn’t find any microplastics in the bottled tea [12].
Overall, 10 out of 11 (90%) of studies have detected microplastics in tea, with ranges of a few microplastic particles per tea to billions of microplastics and nanoplastics per tea.
The materials used in teabags and how they influence microplastic release
The most common materials used in so called silken or mesh teabags are nylon, also referred to as polyamide, and polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. These plastics are selected for their heat resistance and ability to maintain shape, but both are known to release microplastic fragments when exposed to high temperatures and movement [4].
Even teabags marketed as paper-based aren’t necessarily plastic-free. To prevent cellulose fibers from breaking apart in hot water, many paper teabags incorporate polypropylene fibers or plastic based sealants. Analytical methods such as FTIR and Raman spectroscopy have detected polypropylene particles released from these composite bags during brewing [4].
Teabags made from polylactic acid (PLA), often labeled as biodegradable or compostable, are sometimes assumed to be a safer alternative. However, studies indicate that PLA teabags also release substantial numbers of microplastics when steeped in hot water. Estimates suggest approximately ten million PLA nanoplastics could be released per teabag under typical brewing conditions [4].
While PLA differs from petroleum-based plastics, it still behaves as a polymer that can fragment into micro- and nanosized particles. The term biodegradable refers to specific industrial composting conditions and doesn’t imply stability while soaked in hot water. As a result, compostable labeling doesn’t mean an absence of microplastic or nanoplastic exposure.
Temperature is the most important factor in influencing how many particles are released from teabags. Steeping at temperatures near boiling point dramatically increases polymer degradation compared to room temperature exposure, directly linking heat to microplastic generation [4]. This also explains why cold brewed tea consistently shows lower microplastic counts than hot brewed tea.
The method used to heat water can also influence the amount of microplastics generated. Microwaving teabags in water has been shown to accelerate particle release relative to placing teabags in pre-boiled water [4]. These findings suggest that both temperature and heating modality shape exposure magnitude.
Research into the health effects of microplastics from teabags is still emerging, but early findings raise concerns. In vitro studies using human intestinal cell lines have shown that nanoplastics released from PLA teabags can be internalized by intestinal cells. While cytotoxicity was not observed over short exposure periods, cellular uptake indicates the potential for biological interaction [4].
Other in vivo studies show that exposure to teabag leachates can cause developmental abnormalities and behavioral impairments. These effects are believed to come from a combination of physical particle stress and chemical additives released alongside plastic fragments [4]. Although direct translation to human health outcomes is not yet established, these models highlight plausible pathways for harm.
The Deplasto platform, consisting of a scientifically-backed nutritional supplement, an iOS app for tracking daily microplastic intake, and a portfolio of lifestyle recommendations intended to help you minimize microplastics. Our nutritional supplement is formulated to support your body’s natural detoxification pathways, including oxidative stress management, cellular repair, and antioxidant support. Our microplastic intake app enables you to estimate and track your daily microplastic intake, with each datapoint backed by scientific studies. Our lifestyle recommendations, found in our blogs and in our eBook, have a plethora of actions and advice designed to help you make small changes to minimize microplastics.
Overall, we believe that the best way to eliminate microplastics begins with you and the small changes you make to your daily life. Over time, collectively, we can make a significant difference.
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