How Much Plastic Would You Like With Your Tea? By David Smith

     A soothing cup of hot tea may be just what your body needs to boost phytochemicals and other nutrients. But did you know you may also be drinking 11.6 billion microplastic pieces and 3.1 billion nanoplastics with every cup of tea? Researchers from McGill University recently published the results of a study4 in which they analyzed plastic pollution released from tea bags. They questioned whether plastic tea bags were releasing microplastics or nanoplastics after being submerged in hot water during the brewing process.5 They used four commercial products packaged in plastic tea bags. The tea leaves were removed to ensure any plastic particles in the tea did not contaminate the analysis of the tea bags. The empty bags were then placed in hot water to simulate the brewing process. The water was evaluated using an electron microscope, in which the team found a single bag released billions of particles. The researchers report this contamination is at a level thousands of times greater than has been reported with other foods and beverages. In addition to analyzing the amount of plastic released, the team also sought to determine the effect the particles may have on small aquatic organisms. Using water fleas, which are commonly used to model organisms in environmental studies, the researchers found that when treated with the microparticles and nanoparticles from the tea bags, the organisms survived but demonstrated anatomical and behavioral abnormalities.

     Heres some lighter refreshments;- ie student bloopers

1.     The Greeks were a highly sculptured people, and without them we woudn’t have history. The Greeks also had myths. A myth is a female moth. Actually Homer was not written by Homer but by another man of that name. Socrates was a famous Greek teacher who went around giving people advise. They killed him. Socrates died  from an overdose of wedlock.

2.     The greatest writer of the Renaissance was William Shakespeare. He was born in the year1564, supposedly on his birthday. He never made much money and is famous only because of his plays. He wrote tragedies, comedies and hysterectomies, all in Islamic pentameter. Romeo and Juliet was an example of a heroic couplet. Romeo’s last wish was to be laid by Juliet.

     Writing at the same time as Shakespeare was Miguel Cervantes, he wrote Donkey Hote. The next great author was John Milton. Milton wrote Paradise Lost. Then his wife died and he wrote Paradise Regained.