Health Experts Warn: Microplastics present in tea bags may cause cancer.

Health experts have raised alarms about the dangers of microplastics present in tea bags, warning that these microscopic particles can lead to severe health problems, including fertility issues and an increased risk of multiple cancers.

A study by the University of Barcelona, Spain, revealed that tea bags made from plastic polymers, such as polypropylene, release up to 1.2 billion microplastic particles per drop of hot water. Similarly, tea bags made from cellulose and nylon-6 were found to release 135 million and 8 million particles, respectively, when exposed to heat. These particles combine with hot water, releasing chemicals associated with cancer risk.

Supporting these findings, Canadian research indicated that microplastics are released into beverages when tea bags are immersed in hot water. Experts also highlighted that microplastics are not limited to tea bags but are present in everyday items like food containers, saucepans, and even the air we breathe. Studies have detected microplastics in human blood, saliva, breast milk, and feces, underscoring their pervasive presence in the environment and their potential harm.

A team from the University of California, San Francisco, found a possible link between airborne microplastics and the increasing cases of colon cancer among young people. Analysis of over 3,000 studies revealed that once inhaled, microplastics can enter the bloodstream through the lungs. In lab experiments, microplastic exposure in mice resulted in significant colon damage, reduced mucus production, and impaired colon function.

Further, researchers at Agha Khan Medical College, Karachi, observed a rising incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in economically transitioning countries, linking it to microplastic exposure. Dr. Sara Salim highlighted that intestinal mucus-producing cells are particularly vulnerable to microplastics, which can be ingested through food, water, and air.

Meanwhile, reproductive health concerns have emerged, with scientists detecting microplastics in men’s sperm. This discovery adds to a growing body of research suggesting that microplastics disrupt cellular functions, leading to cancers in the lungs, blood, breasts, prostate, and ovaries, as noted in a review published in Life Sciences.

Experts urge individuals to reconsider the use of plastic tea bags and advocate for increased awareness and policy interventions to mitigate the harmful effects of microplastics on human health.