Plastic Tea Bags Release Thousands of Microplastics and BPA into Every Cup

A recent study conducted by researchers in Türkiye has revealed that brewing tea from plastic-mesh bags infuses hot beverages with thousands of microplastic particles. Scientists at Recep Tayyip Erdogan University found that a single cup of tea brewed from these bags can release between 555 and 2,498 microplastic particles on average. Beyond the physical plastic debris, the investigation uncovered concerning levels of bisphenol A (BPA) and related plasticizers leaching directly from the bags into the water.

Manufacturers typically add these chemical compounds to polymers to enhance strength, flexibility, and heat resistance. However, the study recorded BPA volumes in a single cup exceeding one-fifth of the European Food Safety Authority's tolerable daily intake. Researchers Necla Pehlivan and Kenan Gedik utilized infrared spectroscopy and chromatography to analyze 28 different tea brands, comparing plastic-mesh bags against paper cellulose bags and loose bulk leaves.

While tests on loose-leaf tea showed significantly lower contamination stemming from environmental accumulation and ambient air, the plastic bags themselves remained the primary culprit for heavy particle transfer. The analysis also detected di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, a plasticizer posing potential long-term health concerns. Because the screening tools only captured particles larger than 100 micrometers, scientists suspect even smaller nano-sized fragments may have gone undetected, prompting calls for stricter manufacturing oversight on food-grade polymers.