Toxins & Microplastics in Teabags
- Alayne
- Aug 4, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 17
Steeping Mad: Are Teabags Toxic?
Teabags are made from numerous materials including cellulose, plastic, or nylon from which billions of microplastics can be released while steeping. Fancier pyramid sachets are often made from rayon, PP (polypropylene), or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) which also have the potential of releasing microplastics during steeping. Paper teabags, we would hope a safer option, are often bleached, coated with epichlorohydrin, sealed with plastic compounds, or have plastic components. To sidestep the cliché of spilling the tea… how about we just uncover these toxins together, shall we?
In This Post:
Toxins & Microplastics Released by Teabags | Low-Tox Tea Steeping | Inspiration | Low-Tox Alternatives
Toxins & Microplastics Released by Teabags
Bleach Residue
Chemical byproducts, like dioxin, can be left behind after chlorine-dioxide bleaching of teabags, a common practice used by many brands. Dioxins are persistent in the body staying in tissue for years after ingestion and absorption. The EPA warned even trace amounts can potentially cause reproductive capability degradation, behavioral & developmental disorders, birth defects, immune system damage, and cancer.
Epichlorohydrin
A coating used on paper teabags to keep them from falling apart or bursting during steeping. Identified as a carcinogen and endocrine disruptor.
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and Nylon
Fossil-fuel based plastics. These materials break down at temperatures well below the boiling point of water. Studies have shown that they are capable of releasing billions of microplastics and nanoplastics during steeping/brewing. These plastics, likely containing toxins, are then ingested and accumulated in the body. They also present a bioaccumulation concern, as they are not biodegradable.
PP (polypropylene)
A thermoplastic which, like its counterparts PET and nylon, release billions of microplastics and nanoplastics during steeping/brewing. These plastics are ingested and accumulated in the body. Polypropylene is the plastic that is typically used to heat-seal conventional and pyramid teabags to prevent the seams from coming undone. Not only is it persistent in the body, but it's also persistent in the environment. It's deemed non-biodegradable, meaning it doesn't readily break down creating a bioaccumulation concern.
Rayon
Begins as natural plant cellulose (wood pulp, bamboo) but is chemically processed into a semi-synthetic fiber to be used in applications such as teabags. Rayon teabags often use plastic sealants like Polypropylene (above) to heat-seal seams.
Potential Problem w/ Bioplastics
PLA (polylactic acid)
Plant-based thermoplastic also referred to as a bioplastic. Derived from (likely GMO) corn, sugarcane, and sugar beets. Considered a safer teabag material option, but studies have shown it is only biodegradable in industrial composting facilities, not in soil, home compost, or landfill environments.
Low-Tox Tea Steeping
SAFER WAYS TO STEEP TEA
You can use unsealed, non-bleached paper teabags to avoid these toxins or choose to move away from teabags entirely and steep loose-leaf teas with a stainless-steel infuser.
IS LOOSE LEAF A HASSLE?
I had very little interest, if any, in committing to the hassle of measuring, steeping, and cleaning an infuser to brew loose-leaf tea which felt like a foreign process when compared to dropping a teabag into a cup, but I gave it a go for the sake of seeking a healthier way to drink tea. It's really not that big of an adjustment for the reward. I wash the cup and teaspoon anyway, so dropping the infuser into a soapy teacup to soak together doesn't drive the Hatter Mad.
CUSTOMIZED CUP OF TEA w/ LOOSE LEAF
Having the freedom to choose the strength of your brew may turn out to be your cup of tea. With loose-leaf tea, you are in charge of how much you use in your servings. Sometimes I like a stronger tea, so I add a little more. Sometimes I prefer a black tea but don't want to go overboard with caffeine, so I hold back a little on the amount I shake into my infuser. I did say shake... you can get yourself a sweet little measuring spoon, or once you get comfortable with how much you like to use, just eyeball the amount in the bottom of your infuser. I shake it straight from the loose-leaf container.
Inspiration
A PEACEFUL RITUAL
On the hunt for loose-leaf tea, I came upon a lovely, woman-owned small business, Open Door Tea. Learning about the founder's process and seeing the beautiful, earthy loose-leaf teas, I was inspired to treat a cup of tea like a celebration. It surprised me entirely that I quite enjoy making a cup of tea this way. Our magnificent planet produces extraordinary and powerful resources that facilitate healing and recentering. Open Door Tea masterfully harnesses this power and handcrafts a storied library of blends and flavors that will surely meet you with a warm invitation time and time again as you explore their delicious teas and create your very own moments of healing, peace, and celebration.
Orders placed via Collaboration Links attribute commissions at no expense to you.
Low-Tox Tea Brewing Swaps
Open Door Tea Teaware
Free of the Toxins Listed Above
Bamboo Tea Tumbler
Borosilicate Glass, Bamboo Lid, Stainless-steel Infuser
Wyld12
12% off all orders
Steel Tea Infuser
Stainless-steel infuser w/ lid that doubles as an infuser coaster
Wyld12
12% off all orders
FAVORITE BREWING BUDDY
This little cutie is my go-to. I use it every time I make tea, which happens more days out of the week than not. As it sits in my teacup, I've gotten comfortable eyeing how much tea to shake into the bottom. The lid is brilliant. It keeps your tea hot while steeping and it doubles as a coaster when you pull your infuser from your cup. Slowly rock or use a gentle hammer motion over your cup to drain excess tea from the bottom of the infuser. The lid/coaster will collect the rest!
Cold Brew Bottle
Borosilicate Glass, Silicone Lid, Ultra-fine Filter
Filter can be removed, transforming the bottle into a carafe.
Wyld12
12% off all orders
TO GO WITH YOUR LOW-TOX TEAWARE
Open Door Tea Loose Leaf Tea
Organic options are free of synthetic pesticides (herbicides, fungicides, & insecticides) and fertilizer
Wyld12
12% off all orders
FAVORITE LOOSE-LEAF TEA
Open Door Tea's loose-leaf teas are outstanding. I have tried many of their blends and always end up so happy with everything. There are 6-7 canisters in my pantry at any given time. Assam is an incredible black tea. I also thoroughly enjoy trying new flavored blends like Banana Bread Red, Strawberry Hibiscus, Apple Spice, Roasted Chestnut, Pumpkin Spice... I could go on... every single one is delicious. Their wellness blends are beautifully crafted and designed with purpose. Elderberry Rescue, Skin Radiance, and Fresh Start (Detox) are soothing and perfect when you're looking for a caffeine-free cup of tea. The selection at Open Door Tea is nothing short of amazing. It's always a good time picking new teas to try and going for the steady favorites too. You can add free samples to every order which makes for a great way to try new teas without buying a whole canister!
Open Door Tea Teaware:
Beyond having an impressive variety of loose-leaf teas, many of which are organic, Open Door Tea offers non-toxic teaware so you can choose how you brew.
Stainless Steel Infuser (fits right over your cup)
Borosilicate Glass Teapot w/ Stainless Steel Filter
Cold Brew Borosilicate Glass Bottle w/ Ultra-fine Filter
Double Wall Borosilicate Glass Mug w/ Stainless Steel Infuser
Double Wall Borosilicate Glass Tumbler w/ Stainless Steel Infuser
Paper Teabags: eco-friendly, unsealed, non-bleached recycled wood pulp
Then, there's tea itself, which can contain just as many toxins as their outerwear (teabags). If it's still teatime, come on over to my Toxins in Tea post.
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