By Amber Roman
Dec 25, 2024, 12:00 PM EST
A team of researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) has carried out research that exposes the impact of commercial tea bags made with polymers on human health. The study reveals that these sachets release significant amounts of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPL) during use, raising new concerns about their interaction with the human body.
The research, published in the journal Chemospheredemonstrates for the first time that these tiny particles can be absorbed by human intestinal cells, reach the bloodstream and distribute throughout the body.
Plastic waste represents a global problem that transcends the environment, also impacting human health. Food packaging, including materials used in tea bags, has been identified as a significant source of MNPL contamination. These particles are not only ingested through food and drinks, but also inhaled, which constitute the main routes of human exposure.
The UAB study focused on characterizing the MNPL released by three types of polymers used in tea bags: nylon-6, polypropylene and cellulose. When infused, polypropylene generated approximately 1.2 billion particles per milliliter, with an average size of 136.7 nanometers, while cellulose released 135 million particles with an average size of 244 nanometers. For its part, nylon-6 released 8.18 million particles per milliliter, with an average size of 138.4 nanometers.
To analyze the generated particles, the UAB team used state-of-the-art analytical techniques, such as scanning and transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. These methodologies allowed not only to identify the particles, but also to characterize their structure and behavior in different environments.
The researchers carried out pioneering experiments by exposing these particles to different types of human intestinal cells, allowing them to observe how they interact and are absorbed. It was found that mucus-producing intestinal cells had the highest absorption capacity. Some particles were even detected entering the cell nucleus, where genetic material resides, raising questions about possible long-term effects on human health.
The findings underline the crucial role of intestinal mucus in the absorption of these particles and the need for further research on chronic exposure to MNPL. According to Alba García, principal investigator of the study, the techniques used not only represent an advance in the characterization of these contaminants, but also offer a fundamental tool to understand their impact on human health.
The study emphasizes the urgency of developing standards that allow the release of MNPL by plastic materials in contact with food to be consistently evaluated. Likewise, researchers urge the implementation of stricter regulatory policies to mitigate this form of pollution. The growing dependence on plastic materials in the food industry makes it imperative to adopt measures that guarantee both food safety and the protection of public health.
The research also highlights the importance of informing consumers about the impact of food packaging and everyday products. As science advances in developing sustainable alternatives, this study offers a disturbing reminder about the risks inherent in the widespread use of plastics. Reducing exposure to MNPL is not only a technical and regulatory challenge, but also a critical issue for the health of present and future generations.
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