Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Migration testing of microplastics from selected water and food containers by Raman microscopy

Researchers tested microplastic migration from common food and water containers made of polypropylene, PET, and polystyrene under FDA-guided conditions. The study found that hundreds of thousands of microplastic particles per liter can be released, with higher temperatures, fatty food simulants, and direct microwave heating significantly increasing particle release, suggesting that everyday food container use may be a notable source of microplastic exposure.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Analysis of microplastics released from plastic take-out food containers based on thermal properties and morphology study

Researchers found that plastic take-out food containers made of polypropylene, polyethylene, and expanded polystyrene release microplastics into hot water, with over 96% of particles smaller than 10 micrometers and concentrations varying by material type and temperature.

2022 Food Additives & Contaminants Part A 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in polystyrene-made food containers from China: abundance, shape, size, and human intake

Researchers analyzed polystyrene food containers sold in China for microplastic contamination, examining the abundance, shape, and size of particles released. The study found that these containers shed microplastics during normal use, with hot liquids and acidic foods increasing the amount of plastic released. The results raise concerns about daily microplastic exposure from common food packaging.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in take-out food containers

Scientists collected take-out food containers made from four polymer types in five Chinese cities and detected microplastics in all containers, with fragment counts and polymer compositions varying by container material and city of origin.

2020 Journal of Hazardous Materials 385 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantitative analysis of polystyrene microplastic and styrene monomer released from plastic food containers

Researchers analyzed how polystyrene food containers release microplastics and styrene monomers under everyday conditions like heating and UV exposure. They found that containers released significant amounts of both microplastic particles and chemical compounds that could enter food. The study raises concerns about human exposure to microplastics through common disposable food packaging.

2023 Heliyon 39 citations
Article Tier 2

Evidence of Sub‐Micrometric Plastic Release When Heating Food Containers Based on Light Scattering Measurements

Researchers used light scattering measurements to detect sub-micrometric plastic particles released from food containers when heated. They found evidence that food-grade containers release tiny plastic fragments during normal heating conditions, at sizes below what most conventional detection methods can capture. The study suggests that current estimates of microplastic exposure from food packaging may undercount the actual amount released.

2024 Particle & Particle Systems Characterization 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification of microplastics released from plastic food containers during rinsing and migration by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Researchers measured microplastics released from plastic food containers during normal rinsing and when exposed to different food types and temperatures. All containers released microplastics matching their material, and high-fat foods, extreme temperatures, and longer exposure times increased the amount released. This study confirms that plastic food packaging is an important and direct source of microplastic exposure for people through their everyday meals.

2025 Food Chemistry 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Degradation of food-contact plastics in use: Effect of temperature and chemical composition

Researchers examined how common food-contact plastics (polypropylene, polyethylene, PET, and polycarbonate) degrade under conditions that mimic everyday use, including varying temperatures and chemical environments. The study found that elevated temperatures promoted oxidation and hydrolysis of these plastics, while both acidic and alkaline solutions enhanced surface degradation, potentially increasing microplastic release into food and beverages.

2025 Environmental Engineering Research 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Analysis of microplastics released from plastic take-out food containers based on thermal properties and morphology study

This study measured microplastics released from three types of plastic take-out food containers — polypropylene, polyethylene, and expanded polystyrene — when filled with hot water. Expanded polystyrene released the most particles by far (up to 2.8 million per liter), and over 96% of particles from all containers were smaller than 10 micrometers, small enough to be absorbed into the gut.

2022 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Widely Used Polypropylene-Made Food Containers

Researchers found that all 210 polypropylene takeout food containers sampled from seven Chinese cities contained microplastics, with 3 to 43 particles per container, suggesting widespread human exposure to microplastics through commonly used food packaging.

2022 Toxics 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro (nano) Plastics Released from Plastic Food Containers

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.

2023 E3S Web of Conferences 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Release of Nanoplastics from Polypropylene Food Containers into Hot and Cold Water

Researchers tested polypropylene food storage containers and found they release both nanoplastics and microplastics into water, with significantly higher amounts released when hot water at 90 degrees Celsius was used compared to room temperature. The nanoplastics ranged from 122 to 397 nanometers in size and were chemically confirmed as polypropylene. The study provides direct evidence of nanoplastic exposure from everyday food container use and highlights the importance of including these tiny particles in health risk assessments.

2025 Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microscopic Raman-based rapid detection of submicron/nano polypropylene plastics in tea and tea beverages

Using microscopic Raman spectroscopy, researchers detected and quantified submicron- and nanoscale polypropylene plastic particles leached into tea and tea beverages, expanding analytical focus beyond the commonly studied polystyrene model particles.

2024 Food Chemistry 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Analysis of Microplastics in Takeaway Food Containers in China Using FPA-FTIR Whole Filter Analysis

Researchers used advanced FPA-FTIR imaging to detect microplastics released from takeaway food containers commonly used in China. The study found that food containers do release microplastic particles, with the type and quantity varying by container material, raising concerns about human exposure to microplastics through everyday food packaging.

2022 Molecules 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Application of Raman spectroscopy for the analysis of microplastics in food and beverages: a comprehensive review

This review analyzed 56 studies published over the past decade that used Raman spectroscopy to detect microplastics in food and beverages. Researchers found that while the technique is effective for identifying the size, shape, and chemical composition of microplastics, there is significant variation in how different labs conduct their analyses. The study calls for more standardized methods to enable reliable comparisons of microplastic contamination levels across different food products.

2025 Applied Spectroscopy Reviews 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics release from victuals packaging materials during daily usage

Researchers investigated microplastic release from food packaging materials during daily usage, with a focus on polystyrene foam containers. The study found that these containers release microplastic particles during routine handling, heating, and food contact, suggesting that food packaging is a significant and direct source of human microplastic exposure.

2021 EcoMat 68 citations
Article Tier 2

Determination of microplastic release from disposable plastic containers in Isfahan

Researchers tested how disposable polystyrene food containers release microplastics into food, finding that higher temperatures and stirring with a spoon both significantly increased the amount released. At the highest temperature tested (120 degrees Celsius) with spoon contact, the containers released nearly twice as many microplastics, highlighting everyday food preparation as a significant source of plastic exposure.

2024 Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Disposable plastic materials release microplastics and harmful substances in hot water

Researchers tested whether disposable plastic items release particles when exposed to hot water, mimicking everyday use with hot food and drinks. They found that a single exposure to boiling water released over a million submicron and microplastic particles per milliliter from common disposable containers. The study also detected harmful chemical substances in the leachate, suggesting that routine use of disposable plastics with hot beverages poses an underrecognized exposure risk.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 122 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification and Evaluation of Microplastics from Tea Filter Bags Based on Raman Imaging

Researchers identified and evaluated microplastic release from commercial tea filter bags using Raman imaging combined with chemometrics. The study found that up to 94% of tested filter bags released microplastics after soaking, with particles identified as matching the bag materials, highlighting a potential route of microplastic exposure through everyday beverage consumption.

2022 Foods 55 citations
Article Tier 2

Release of Nanoplasticsfrom Polypropylene Food Containersinto Hot and Cold Water

Researchers investigated the release of nanoplastics (particles <1 µm) from Australian polypropylene food containers into both hot and cold water. Hot water exposure substantially increased nanoplastic release compared to cold water, raising concerns about food safety when heating food in plastic containers.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Detection of nanoplastics released from consumer plastic food containers by electromagnetic heating pyrolysis mass spectrometry

Researchers developed a rapid method combining electromagnetic heating with mass spectrometry to detect and quantify nanoplastics released from consumer plastic food containers. They found that common containers released measurable quantities of nanoplastic particles, with concentrations varying based on container type and heating conditions. The study provides evidence that everyday food packaging is a direct source of nanoplastic exposure through the diet.

2024 Analytica Chimica Acta 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in take-out food: Are we over taking it?

This study measured microplastic abundance and characteristics in 146 take-out food samples including rice, noodles, bubble tea, and coffee from disposable containers. The mean abundance was 639 microplastics per kilogram, with rice having the highest contamination, and the majority were fragments and fibers consistent with packaging and handling materials.

2022 Environmental Research 79 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection of microplastics and nanoplastics released from a kitchen blender using Raman imaging

Researchers detected significant quantities of microplastics and nanoplastics (0.36-0.78 billion particles within 30 seconds) released from a kitchen blender's plastic container, using Raman imaging to characterize particles down to the nanoscale.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials 48 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification and characterization of microplastics released during the actual use of disposable cups using laser direct infrared imaging

Researchers found that disposable polypropylene and polystyrene cups release over 1,000 microplastic particles per liter when filled with hot water, with higher temperatures producing more particles. Using a disposable cup three times a day could mean unintentionally swallowing 294 to 402 microplastic particles daily. The study suggests that reusable cups release fewer microplastics and may be a safer choice for regular hot beverage consumption.

2025 The Analyst 5 citations