SHAHEDNEWS: While millions of people start their day with a cup of tea, the findings of a new study may make you reconsider using tea bags. Scientists at the Autonomous University of Barcelona have warned that a single tea bag can release billions of dangerous microplastic particles into the body.
According to SHAHEDNEWS, In this research, published in the journal Chemosphere, researchers examined three common types of tea bags. These bags, sourced from online stores and local supermarkets, included nylon, polypropylene, and a third type made from an unspecified material.
Tests revealed that polypropylene tea bags caused the most contamination, releasing approximately 1.2 billion particles per milliliter of water. These particles averaged 136.7 nanometers in size. Nylon tea bags released 8.18 million particles per milliliter, with an average size of 13.8 nanometers.
Researchers found that the intestinal mucosal cells absorbed the highest amount of these plastic particles, and some of these particles could even penetrate the nuclei of cells. This raises serious concerns about the long-term health effects of microplastics on humans.
Growing evidence suggests that plastics may play a key role in early cancer development. A study earlier this year showed that colorectal cancer cells proliferated more rapidly after exposure to microplastics. Additionally, Chinese researchers found plastic particles in human sperm, which could negatively impact sperm motility and fertility.
Maria Westerbos, co-founder of the Plastic Health Council, emphasized that scientists are consistently uncovering the harmful effects of plastics on human health. She stated that it is time for the global community to heed scientific findings.
The researchers called for urgent investigations into the effects of microplastics on the human body. Given the increasing use of plastics in food packaging, it is essential for scientific research and policy-making to address the challenges posed by microplastic pollution to ensure food safety and consumer health.
