Scientists show for the first time that microplastics used in infusion bags such as tea bags penetrate human intestinal cells and can pass into human blood.
The researchers of PlasticHeal detailed how commercial polymer-based tea bags release millions of nanoplastics and microplastics (MNPLs) into the brew. A study by this group shows for the first time the ability of these particles to be internalized into human intestinal cells and can even be translocated into the blood and spread throughout the body.
Plastic waste pollution represents a critical environmental problem with increasing implications for the well-being and health of future generations. Food packaging is a major source of microplastic and nanoplastic contamination, and inhalation and ingestion are the main routes of human exposure.
Tea bags, not at all harmless
A study of Mutagenesis Group of the Department of Genetics and Microbiology of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) analyzed microplastics and nanoplastics derived from various types of commercially available tea bags. The researchers observed that when these tea bags are used for an infusion, Huge amounts of nanometer-sized particles and nanofilamentous structures are released.
This represents a significant source of exposure to MNPL. The tea bags used for the research were made from the polymers nylon-6, polypropylene and cellulose. To characterize the different types of particles, techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission microscopy (TEM) and infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), among others, were used.
“We have managed to characterize these contaminants in an innovative way with a set of cutting-edge techniqueswhich is a very important tool to advance research on its possible impacts on human health,” says the UAB researcher. Alba García.
tea bag
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The first interaction observed with human cells
The particles were stained and exposed for the first time to different types of human intestinal cells to evaluate their interaction and possible cellular internalization. Mucus-producing intestinal cells were observed to have the highest absorption of microplastics and nanoplastics, and the particles even They penetrated the cell nucleus that houses the genetic material.
The result suggests a key role of intestinal mucus in the absorption of these particles pollutants. “It is essential to develop standardized testing methods to evaluate MNPL contamination released by plastic food contact materials and formulate regulatory policies to effectively mitigate and minimize this contamination. As the use of plastic in food packaging continues, it is vital to address MNPL contamination to ensure food safety and protect public health“add the researchers.
Researchers from the UAB Mutagenesis Group participated in the study. Alba García Rodríguez, Ricard Marcos and Gooya Banaeifirst author of the research article, in collaboration with researchers from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany.
Source: Ambito
