Microplastic Mysteries: How Tiny Particles Are Impacting Your Health

19. Microplastics in Tea Bags

Many premium and “silky” tea bags aren’t woven from paper—they’re made from plastic like nylon or PET. When steeped in hot water, they can release billions of microplastic particles directly into your cup. These particles may carry chemical additives or adsorbed toxins, delivering them straight into your digestive system. Switching to loose-leaf tea brewed with a stainless steel or glass infuser eliminates this hidden source entirely. Even opting for plain paper tea bags without heat-sealed edges can dramatically reduce your intake. That calming evening tea ritual? It should soothe your body, not silently dose it with plastic.

20. Microplastics in Salt

Sea salt, rock salt, and even table salt have all been found to contain microplastic fragments—often from degraded fishing gear, packaging waste, and water pollution. Since salt is consumed daily and in small quantities, these microplastics can quietly accumulate in your body over time. While you can’t remove them once they’re in the salt, choosing brands that source from cleaner waters and are tested for purity can help. Himalayan and certain mineral-rich salts may offer lower contamination rates, though no salt source is guaranteed plastic-free in today’s environment. This seasoning comes with more than just flavor—it can carry baggage.