Plastic waste contamination represents a critical environmental challenge with growing implications for future generations, However, the health risks associated with this contamination remain the lack of information. Food packaging, however, is one of the main sources for micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs) contamination and their ingestion, the main route of human exposure and inhalation.

In a groundbreaking study, the UAB Mutagenesis Group has successfully obtained and characterized MNPLs derived from various types of teabags commercially available in local supermarkets or via online purchase. These materials are particularly valuable as they closely mimic real-world environmental contaminant profiles, providing an important tool for advancing research on their potential impact on human health.

The study aimed to examine the release of MNPLs from commercially available polymer-based teabags, simulating tea preparation. Using advanced analytical techniques, the UAB researchers confirmed the presence of nano-range particles and filamentous structures, highlighting significant nanoplastic contamination in the cup of tea.