A claim circulating on social media has raised concerns about the potential health risks posed by microplastics in tea bags. The claim, posted by user @MonaElizabeth56 on X (formerly Twitter), has garnered 250 views and features a video alleging that typical tea bags are sprayed with plastic to prevent tearing. According to the video, brewing a cup of tea with such bags can release up to a billion microplastic particles into the drink, which are invisible to the naked eye.

 “TEA BAGS ARE TOXIC! ‼ Almost all tea bags are filled with micro plastics which is the #1 pollutant in our bodies today! (sic),” a part of the post claims. 

‼️ TEA BAGS ARE TOXIC! ‼️

Almost all tea bags are filled with micro plastics which is the #1 pollutant in our bodies today!

Below, is a tea bag that we’ve had made that is biodegradable, unwoven from an unbleached paper that is HEALTHY!

They’re large enough (5’x7’) to make a… pic.twitter.com/QvSjjsDDDM

— 🌲PINE LAKES HOMESTEAD🌲 (@MonaElizabeth56) December 14, 2024

Attached video elaborates the health hazards of tea bags.

“Typical tea bag is sprayed with plastic on the outside to keep it together and doesn't rip. That plastic comes off. The tea bag is microplastic,” the video says, “Average cup of hot tea brewed, even with a regular tea bag that has plastic sprayed on, it sheds a billion microplastic particles with your cup of tea. Microplastics in the cup of tea are invisible. So here you are thinking you're drinking something good, but actually you're also taking in these microplastics.”

It highlights the specific health issues caused by tea bag: “We used to think [microplastics] may not be doing that much harm, but now we're beginning to think [they] cause inflammation. So recent studies have shown that in people with narrowed arteries, including arteries feeding your brain, your carotid arteries, blockages. When the doctors pulled out the lining of the thickened areas, they found microplastics embedded into the narrowing, and it correlated with a four-fold increase of fatal heart attack and stroke.”

The claim extends to reproductive and sexual health: “More recent research has shown microplastics in the testicles, in semen, and just last week, newspaper accounts showing we found microplastics embedded in the fleshy tissue of penis as well.”

The post and the video makes four claims:

CLAIM 1:

A single cup of hot tea, even with a plastic-coated tea bag, releases invisible microplastic particles.

FACT:

All scientific studies done until now, confirm the presence of micro plastics in tea bags.

A study used Dynamic Laser Light Scattering (DLS), an optical technique to measure particle size not visible to the naked eye, to determine whether tea bags soaked in water released nanoparticles. The study which simulated the conditions of a kitchen stove used for making tea,  confirmed the release of plastic particles. Yet, another study employed infrared hyperspectral imaging, a technique that can capture details beyond the normal human vision. This too confirmed the presence of microplastics. 

CLAIM 2:

Drinking tea brewed from tea bags may expose you to microplastics, potentially causing harm like inflammation.

FACT:

Microplastics in the bloodstream can trigger an inflammatory response in the body.

According to a study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine, microplastics can lead to inflammation. 

“The presence of microplastics within the human body has raised significant concerns about their potential health implications. Numerous studies have supported the hypothesis that the accumulation of microplastics can trigger inflammatory responses,” says the study titled, “Microplastics: an often-overlooked issue in the transition from chronic inflammation to cancer.” 

CLAIM 3:

Microplastics found in narrowed arteries, like the carotid artery, are linked to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.

FACT:

Microplastics in arteries, especially the carotid artery, can increase the risk of heart disease.

A study published in the European Heart Journal found the presence of micro-and nano-plastics in the carotid plaques is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular events.

CLAIM 4: 

Microplastics detected in semen, testicles, and even penile tissue.

FACT:

Microplastics have been found in the bloodstream, lungs, lymph, brain, and testicles.

A study published in the journal Nature confirms the presence of microplastics in these organs. 

“During episodes of tumescence, characterized by increased blood flow to the penis, the corpus cavernosum and associated tissues undergo expansion. The physiological process includes dilation of blood vessels, creating an environment, where circulating microparticles may interact with the penile tissues, potentially resulting in its bioaccumulation,” finds the study. 

In layman’s language, the research says that during arousal, increased blood flow and vessel expansion in the penis may allow tiny particles to accumulate in its tissues, thereby endorsing the claim.

Also read: FACT CHECK: Can a mixture of aloe vera gel, coffee powder and black tea darken your grey hair? - First Check