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Assessing the Release of Microplastics and Nanoplastics from Plastic Containers and Reusable Food Pouches: Implications for Human Health
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Researchers found that microwaving food in plastic containers can release up to 4.22 million microplastic and 2.11 billion nanoplastic particles per square centimeter in just 3 minutes, with infants and toddlers facing the highest estimated exposure from heated baby food and drinks. Cell studies showed these released particles killed up to 77% of human kidney cells at high concentrations, raising serious concerns about everyday plastic food container use.
This study investigated the release of microplastics and nanoplastics from plastic containers and reusable food pouches under different usage scenarios, using DI water and 3% acetic acid as food simulants for aqueous foods and acidic foods. The results indicated that microwave heating caused the highest release of microplastics and nanoplastics into food compared to other usage scenarios, such as refrigeration or room-temperature storage. It was found that some containers could release as many as 4.22 million microplastic and 2.11 billion nanoplastic particles from only one square centimeter of plastic area within 3 min of microwave heating. Refrigeration and room-temperature storage for over six months can also release millions to billions of microplastics and nanoplastics. Additionally, the polyethylene-based food pouch released more particles than polypropylene-based plastic containers. Exposure modeling results suggested that the highest estimated daily intake was 20.3 ng/kg·day for infants drinking microwaved water and 22.1 ng/kg·day for toddlers consuming microwaved dairy products from polypropylene containers. Furthermore, an in vitro study conducted to assess the cell viability showed that the extracted microplastics and nanoplastics released from the plastic container can cause the death of 76.70 and 77.18% of human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T) at 1000 μg/mL concentration after exposure of 48 and 72 h, respectively.
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Micro (nano) Plastics Released from Plastic Food Containers
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Researchers found that plastic food containers release micro- and nanoplastics into food under both hot-water and microwave heating, with the quantity increasing with repeated reuse, raising concerns about dietary exposure from everyday kitchen plastics.
Oil-Encapsulated Nanoplastics from Plastic Disposable Food Containers Induce Rapid Cell Death through Cell Membrane Disruption
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Researchers simulated takeout food scenarios by exposing polypropylene and polyethylene-coated containers to cooking oil and microwave heating, then measured micro/nanoplastic release. Oil-microwave conditions released up to 125 times more particles than water, and the oil-encapsulated nanoplastics rapidly disrupted cell membranes, killing human cells in minutes.
Microwave Heating and Freeze-Thaw Cycles Exacerbate Microplastics and Nanoparticles Release from Plastic Takeout Food Containers: Characterization and Health Risk Assessment
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Lab tests of five types of plastic takeout containers found that heating in a microwave and freeze-thaw cycles increased the release of microplastics and nanoparticles into food, with polylactic acid (PLA) releasing the most and polypropylene (PP) releasing the least. Nanoparticle levels were 4 to 5 times higher than microplastic levels, and microwave use produced the highest estimated health risk scores for all materials tested.
Subcellular toxicity assessments of microplastics released from food containers
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Researchers tested microplastic particles released from common plastic food containers under heating and freezing conditions and found that each container shed roughly 100,000 to 260,000 particles. When human intestinal cells were exposed to these particles, frozen food containers released the most harmful microplastics, causing damage to cell structures and increased production of harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species. This study suggests that everyday food storage practices, especially freezing in plastic containers, may be an important source of microplastic exposure.
Plastic takeaway food containers may cause human intestinal damage in routine life usage: Microplastics formation and cytotoxic effect
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Plastic takeaway food containers released hundreds of thousands of microplastics per square centimeter when filled with hot water, with polystyrene containers releasing the most. Both the microplastic particles and the chemical substances leached from the containers damaged human intestinal cells in lab tests, reducing cell survival and disrupting energy metabolism. This suggests that everyday use of plastic food containers -- especially with hot food and drinks -- exposes people to potentially harmful levels of microplastics.
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