We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Temperature and ethanol synergistically enhance microplastic release from disposable cups: mechanistic insights and health risk assessment of typical plastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Systematic testing of polypropylene, PET, and polystyrene disposable cups found that high heat (70°C) combined with 50% ethanol released up to 1,281 microplastic particles per liter from polystyrene cups, with adults potentially ingesting 6,916–66,612 microplastic particles annually from this single source. The results demonstrate that everyday beverage container use — especially hot or alcoholic drinks in disposable cups — is a significant and underappreciated route of human microplastic ingestion.
Disposable plastic cups used to hold beverages can release microplastics (MPs) that pose a potential risk to human health. In this study, the release of MPs from polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS) cups was systematically investigated under simulated real-world conditions by varying the temperature (20, 40, and 70 °C), contact time (30, 60, and 120 min), and food simulants (4% acetic acid, 10% ethanol, 50% ethanol). The experimental results demonstrate that the highest temperature (70 °C) and longest exposure (120 min) caused a significant increase in MPs release, with PS cups showing the highest level (1281.33 ± 27.23 particles/L), particularly in 50 % ethanol food simulant. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) revealed the formation of surface cracks and protuberances after thermal treatment, while attenuated total reflectance fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) indicates that the most pronounced chemical alterations in PS. Based on typical consumer behavior, we estimate that adults could ingest up to 6916–66612 MPs particles annually from disposable cups. These results indicating the interplay between cup material, usage conditions, and MPs release mechanisms suggest avoiding prolonged storage of hot liquids in PS containers to mitigate health risks.
More Papers Like This
Micro and Nano Plastic in Plastic Beverage Containers: Intimidating Remark for Human Health
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed evidence that plastic beverage containers release micro- and nanoplastics into consumable liquids, raising alarms about continuous human exposure through drinking water and beverages and highlighting significant gaps in understanding the resulting health effects.
Mechanical stress-induced microplastic release from bottle caps: Insights on material properties and their impact on cellular toxicity
AI summary
This study quantifies microplastic particles shed from plastic bottle caps when subjected to repeated mechanical stress, such as opening and closing. Experiments show that physical abrasion releases measurable quantities of microplastic fragments and particles, which can contaminate the beverage contents or the surrounding environment. The results suggest that bottle caps represent an overlooked point-of-use source of microplastic exposure for consumers.
Microplastics, Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Released From Disposable Hot Drink Cups, Teabags and Their Evaluation from Health Perspect
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic release from disposable paper cups, plastic cups, and teabags when filled with hot water, finding tens of thousands of particles per milliliter along with detectable phthalates and bisphenol A, suggesting daily hot beverage consumption is a significant route of microplastic and endocrine disruptor exposure.
Release of microplastics from disposable cups in daily use
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested 90 batches of commercial disposable cups, including plastic and paper varieties, to measure how many microplastics they release into beverages during normal use. They found that all cup types released microplastics, with the amount increasing with higher liquid temperatures and longer contact times. The study highlights disposable cups as a direct and previously underappreciated source of microplastic exposure for consumers.
Time-dependent release kinetics of nano plastics from disposable cups
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how nanoplastics leach from disposable polystyrene cups over time, characterizing the kinetics of particle release as a function of temperature and exposure duration. The study found that even common single-use cups release nanoplastic particles into beverages, representing a direct human exposure route.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.