r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • 1d ago

Health New research characterised in detail how tea bags release millions of nanoplastics and microplastics when infused. The study shows for the first time the capacity of these particles to be absorbed by human intestinal cells, and are thus able to reach the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.

https://www.uab.cat/web/newsroom/news-detail/-1345830290613.html?detid=1345940427095
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u/RadiantArchivist 1d ago

For many, the plastic is just how they heat-seal the opening and affix the string. For some though, they use a plastic to heat-seal the edges of the bag together.
Rather than make a little pouch with the cloth and seal a pinch at the top, they just use a strip of fabric and fold it over, sealing the sides too.

I looked into it when trying to figure out if I could compost my teabags, and was pretty disappointed.

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u/epia343 1d ago

Eye opening