Do nylon tea bags release microplastics into boiling water during steeping?
Yes. Research shows that nylon tea bags release microplastics directly into your tea when steeped in boiling water.
What's actually in it
Nylon tea bags are made from synthetic polymers. When you pour boiling water over these bags, the material does not stay intact. It breaks down and releases microplastics into your drink.
You are essentially steeping your tea in plastic particles. These tiny bits of material are shed directly from the bag during the brewing process.
What the research says
A 2026 study in Environ Sci Process Impacts used optical coherence tomography to look at what happens when you brew tea with nylon bags. The researchers confirmed that the bags release microplastics into the water during standard steeping.
This is not just a theoretical risk. Peer-reviewed research confirms that the heat and agitation of brewing cause the nylon to shed these particles into your cup. Once they are in the water, you ingest them with every sip.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Brewing plastics: OCT reveals microplastic release from nylon tea bags in simulated brewed tea infusions. | Environ Sci Process Impacts | 2026 |
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