Rising worries about microplastic pollution have pushed scientists to examine common sources of daily exposure. A recent Spanish study found that commercially available tea bags shed millions of microplastics when brewed, prompting concerns about a product consumed worldwide.
Scientists from the Autonomous University of Barcelona showed that tea bags made from materials like nylon-6, polypropylene, and cellulose release tiny particles when immersed in hot water, which consumers may unknowingly ingest.
Microplastics Found to Enter Human Cells and Circulate Through the Body
The study reveals that microplastics can be absorbed by human intestinal cells and enter the bloodstream. This discovery heightens concerns about the possible harmful effects of microplastics on human health.
The research was carried out by the Mutagenesis Group in the Department of Genetics and Microbiology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) as part of the European PlasticHeal project, according to the newspaper El Economista.
The project seeks to improve understanding of how microplastics affect human health. The findings underscore the importance of evaluating the safety of plastic materials commonly used in consumer products, including tea bags.
Read the original article on: Terra
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