1.2 Billion Plastic Particles Released per 1 ml
Linked to Intestinal Diseases, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer
Adding More Hot Water Increases the Risk
This is a reference photo to aid understanding of the article and is unrelated to the main text. Pixabay
A study has found that tea bags release millions of microplastics, which can have harmful effects on the human body. Microplastics can potentially cause inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other conditions, so caution is required.
On the 14th (local time), the New York Post in the United States reported on the microplastics contained in tea bags. According to a recent study, when tea is brewed using tea bags made of plastic polypropylene, up to 1.2 billion tiny plastic particles are released per 1 ml.
Warming a mug with the tea bag inside or adding more hot water is even more dangerous, as it can release more microplastics.
Experts pointed out that microplastics have potential links to inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other conditions.
However, not all tea bags are problematic. Some are made from paper or plant-based materials. The issue is that it is not easy to determine what the tea bag is made of.
Experts advised that to avoid microplastics while drinking tea, it is better to choose loose leaf tea. Also, rinsing the tea bag under running water can be somewhat effective in removing plastic.
This is a reference photo to aid understanding of the article and is unrelated to the main text. Pixabay
On the same day, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) also covered microplastics in tea bags based on a joint study published in the international academic journal Chemosphere by researchers from Universitat Aut?noma de Barcelona, Sohag University in Egypt, and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Leipzig, Germany.
The research team concluded that when drinking tea made with tea bags, millions of microplastics from the tea bags enter the human body and can potentially have adverse health effects. In particular, intestinal cells absorb a large amount of microplastics, and if they enter the intestines, they are likely to cause inflammatory bowel disease. The researchers stated, "Further studies are needed on the effects of chronic exposure to micro- and nanoplastics on human health."
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