Those silky, pyramid-shaped tea bags look elegant, but many are made of plastic. A new study found that when steeped in hot water, plastic mesh tea bags released hundreds to thousands of tiny plastic particles into each cup, along with traces of BPA and plasticizers. The good news is that there’s a simple fix.
Key Takeaways
- Plastic tea bags released an average of 555 to 2,498 microplastic particles per cup after a three-minute brew in near-boiling water. The study was published in October 2026 in npj Science of Food.
- BPA and plasticizers called phthalates were found in tea brewed from all four plastic tea bag brands tested.
- One cup could provide up to about 22% of Europe’s tolerable daily intake for BPA, according to the researchers’ estimates. They called this a warning, particularly for pregnant women and children.
- For most people, the researchers estimated the risk from microplastics and plasticizers at typical tea intake to be negligible, though exposure adds up from other sources.
- Loose-leaf tea contained far fewer particles, roughly 0.3 to 2.4 per serving.
What the study found
Researchers at Recep Tayyip Erdoฤan University in Tรผrkiye tested tea from 28 brands bought in Turkey, including four brands sold in plastic mesh tea bags and 14 brands of loose-leaf tea.
They brewed the plastic tea bags for three minutes in water heated to about 203ยฐF (95ยฐC), similar to how most people make tea at home. Then they counted the particles under a microscope, identified the plastic types, and tested the tea for chemicals.
- Microplastics: Plastic bags released an average of 555 to 2,498 particles per cup, depending on the brand. All were polyamide (nylon) fibers, the same material as the bags.
- BPA: The researchers estimated that a cup of tea from these bags could provide 4.6% to 21.7% of the European Food Safety Authority’s tolerable daily intake for BPA.
- Phthalates: These plasticizers, which make plastics flexible, were also found in all four plastic-bag teas. One of them, called DEHP, may pose a long-term cancer risk with heavy, long-term consumption, the researchers said.
- Loose-leaf tea: The leaves contained about 146 to 1,178 particles per kilogram, a mix of plastic types likely from farming plastics, dust or processing equipment. That works out to roughly 0.3 to 2.4 particles in a typical 2-gram serving.
The researchers only counted particles larger than 100 micrometers, about the width of a human hair. That means the true number of particles was likely much higher. Earlier research from McGill University in 2019 found that a single plastic tea bag could release billions of microscopic and nanoscale plastic particles.
Why BPA matters
BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical used in some plastics and can linings. It can mimic the hormone estrogen, and research has linked it to effects on reproduction, metabolism, the immune system and development.
In 2023, the European Food Safety Authority sharply lowered its tolerable daily intake for BPA, making it about 20,000 times lower than before. That’s one reason even small amounts now make up a large share of the limit. The FDA, which uses different standards, still considers BPA safe at the levels found in foods.
Because people are exposed to BPA from many sources, including canned foods, receipts and some plastic containers, the researchers warned that drinking several cups a day from plastic tea bags, combined with other exposures, could push some people past the safe limit.
What the study can’t tell us
The study tested only four brands of plastic tea bags, all purchased in Turkey, so results may differ for other brands and countries. It didn’t measure health effects directly. The risks were estimated using models. The loose-leaf tea was chemically broken down rather than brewed, so it isn’t a direct comparison, and the researchers didn’t measure BPA in brewed loose-leaf tea.
Scientists are still learning how microplastics affect human health. They’ve been found in human blood, lungs, placentas and arteries, but it’s not yet clear what levels are harmful.
How to enjoy tea with less plastic
- Choose loose-leaf tea and brew it in a stainless steel, glass or ceramic infuser or teapot.
- Avoid silky or mesh “pyramid” tea bags, which are often made of nylon or PET plastic.
- Check the packaging. Look for tea bags labeled plastic-free or made from unbleached paper or plant fiber. Some paper tea bags are sealed with plastic, so look for brands that say they’re fully plastic-free.
- Rinse loose-leaf tea briefly in cold water before brewing, as the researchers suggest, to wash off surface particles.
- Don’t microwave tea in plastic cups, and avoid pouring boiling water into plastic containers, since heat increases the release of particles and chemicals.
- Keep drinking tea if you enjoy it. Tea has been linked to heart health benefits in large studies, and the researchers didn’t suggest giving it up, only changing how it’s brewed.
This isn’t a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about chemical exposure, especially during pregnancy.
Sources:
- Pehlivan N, Gedik K. npj Science of Food, October 2026. doi:10.1038/s41538-026-01175-x
- Medical Xpress: Plastic tea bags are releasing BPA, plasticizers and up to 2,500 microplastic particles into your cup of tea. October 2026.
- Gizmodo: Plastic tea bags steep thousands of microplastics into every cup.
- Hernandez LM, et al. Plastic teabags release billions of microparticles and nanoparticles into tea. Environmental Science & Technology, 2019.
- European Food Safety Authority. Re-evaluation of the risks to public health related to the presence of bisphenol A in foodstuffs. 2023.