A smart read - I’ve investigated a few companies to identify a few that use paper or a sugar cane derivative in lieu of plastic - these are questions we should be asking and pressuring industry
Thanks, Ellen. I’m glad to hear you found it a worthwhile read.
I’m still confused about plant-based tea bags and the like. Some of them are made from polylactic acid, which, although made from plants is still a plastic. I saw a report that PLA teabags can shed millions of nanoplastic particles. These are absorbed by intestinal cells, so can likely end up in atheromatous plaques and brains just like ‘regular plastic.
I’m left wondering if there are risk free tea bags. Maybe we’d be better sticking to leaf tea and a strainer.
This is an interesting point to follow- PLA vascular deposition as impacted by food grade and medical device use. I have a mug-sized loose leaf strainer that I use alternating with organic tea bags. Companies in the US source from One Earth, I believe, who 'green' certify their tea bags as "free of plastics." But, you are correct about semantics in the green space. We'd likely have to request the MDS as the sugar cane derivative could be a PLA product. Thanks for following up
Excellent post and summary Ben. Thank you.
Thank you Lisa. I’m so pleased you found it helpful.
I’m pretty familiar with the body of evidence but your review is fantastic. I’ve already shared it with a patient yesterday. Good work.
A smart read - I’ve investigated a few companies to identify a few that use paper or a sugar cane derivative in lieu of plastic - these are questions we should be asking and pressuring industry
Thanks, Ellen. I’m glad to hear you found it a worthwhile read.
I’m still confused about plant-based tea bags and the like. Some of them are made from polylactic acid, which, although made from plants is still a plastic. I saw a report that PLA teabags can shed millions of nanoplastic particles. These are absorbed by intestinal cells, so can likely end up in atheromatous plaques and brains just like ‘regular plastic.
I’m left wondering if there are risk free tea bags. Maybe we’d be better sticking to leaf tea and a strainer.
Have you found anything reassuring?
This is an interesting point to follow- PLA vascular deposition as impacted by food grade and medical device use. I have a mug-sized loose leaf strainer that I use alternating with organic tea bags. Companies in the US source from One Earth, I believe, who 'green' certify their tea bags as "free of plastics." But, you are correct about semantics in the green space. We'd likely have to request the MDS as the sugar cane derivative could be a PLA product. Thanks for following up