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Quantification and size classification of Microplastics leached from disposable beverage cups
Summary
This study investigated the size and quantity of microplastic particles leached from disposable paper cups into hot beverages, finding that common paper cups release microplastics measurable by size classification. The research quantified the contamination risk posed by single-use beverage cups to people who regularly drink hot liquids.
Abstract This study is a detailed investigation into the size variations of the microplastic (MP) particles that are released from “common use” paper cups into the hot beverages. Therefore, this study was aimed at quantification and size classification of MPs released through hot liquids contained in paper cups. It was observed that as many as 6,00,000 microplastic particles can potentially be released into 100 ml hot beverage in a disposable paper cup during 15 min of exposure time. The released MPs with various morphological features, observed through SEM imaging, includes defined shapes (spherical and rod-like) and also irregularly shaped particles. The size distribution revealed a predominance of MPs in 2–5 µm size range with a small fraction of particles larger than 15 µm. The composition of the released particles was found to be high density polyethylene (HDPE). It has been estimated that routine users of beverages in such cups may unconsciously ingest 219 million particles annually by using a single cup daily and around 657–876 million of MPs in a year due to use of 3–4 cups per day. Therefore, the consumption of beverages in such cups could potentially affect the health of human beings and release MPs into the environment.