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Updated: May 10, 2026

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Published on: December 16, 2016

Evolution of Microplastics Released from Tea Bags into Water.

Alexander A Yaroslavov^1,2, Anna A Efimova^1,2, Tatyana E Grokhovskaya¹

¹Department of Chemistry, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1-3, 119991 Moscow, Russia.

|October 16, 2025

Summary

Tea bags release microplastic particles into hot water, with concentrations increasing with heat and time. These particles, though negatively charged, show no cytotoxicity to human cells.

Keywords:

cytotoxicity dynamic light scattering laser microelectrophoresis microplastics nanoplastics polymer degradation surface charge tea bags

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Sampling, Identification and Characterization of Microplastics Release from Polypropylene Baby Feeding Bottle during Daily Use

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Published on: July 24, 2021

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Environmental Science
Toxicology

Background:

Tea bags are commonly used worldwide, with many made from synthetic or natural polymers.
The release of microparticles from tea bags during brewing is a growing concern.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify and characterize particles released from various tea bag materials.
To investigate the influence of temperature and time on particle release.
To assess the stability and cytotoxicity of released particles.

Main Methods:

Dynamic light scattering (DLS)
Electrophoretic mobility (EM)
Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA)
Infrared spectroscopy
Calorimetric methods

Main Results:

Particles ranging from 200 nm to 1 µm were released, with an average diameter of 600 nm.
Particle concentration increased with higher temperatures and longer brewing times.
Synthetic polymer particles were enzyme-resistant, while cellulose particles degraded.
Released particles exhibited a negative surface charge.
No cytotoxicity was observed in Caco-2 epithelial cells, even at high concentrations.

Conclusions:

Tea bags release microplastic and nanoplastic particles into brewed beverages.
Particle release is dependent on brewing conditions and material composition.
The negative surface charge of released particles may contribute to their lack of observed cytotoxicity.