Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics from disposable paper cups and microwavable food containers

Researchers found that disposable paper cups coated with low-density polyethylene released up to 26 times more nanoplastics than polylactic acid-coated cups, and that hot water exposure substantially increased nanoplastic release from both cup types.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification and size classification of Microplastics leached from disposable beverage cups

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.

2024 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Time-dependent release kinetics of nano plastics from disposable cups

This study investigated the time-dependent leaching of nanoplastics from disposable polystyrene cups into hot beverages, quantifying particle release as a function of contact duration and temperature. Results showed cups release nanoplastics over time at levels that represent a direct and repeated human ingestion exposure.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics from disposable paper cups: a growing concern in everyday life

Researchers measured microplastics released from five types of plastic-coated disposable paper cups into hot beverages over 15 minutes, finding that a single 100 ml cup can shed up to 0.7 million HDPE microplastics (primarily 2–5 μm), with routine users potentially ingesting 657–876 million MPs annually.

2025 Zastita materijala
Article Tier 2

Drinking hot beverages from paper cups: Lifetime intake of microplastics

Researchers quantified the lifetime intake of microplastics from drinking hot beverages in disposable paper cups lined with plastic. They estimated that a person drinking three hot beverages per day from paper cups could ingest tens of thousands of microplastic particles annually, along with associated contaminants like fluoride. The study provides one of the first lifetime exposure estimates for microplastics from this common everyday source.

2023 Chemosphere 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Release of microplastics from disposable cups in daily use

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.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 102 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics associated contaminants from disposable paper cups and their consequence on human health

Researchers found that disposable paper cups release microplastic particles and chemical contaminants, including phthalates, into hot beverages within minutes of contact. The interior plastic lining of these cups breaks down when exposed to hot liquids, releasing compounds that can interfere with the hormonal system. The study raises concerns about routine human exposure to microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals through everyday disposable drinkware.

2024 LabMed discovery. 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and other harmful substances released from disposable paper cups into hot water

Researchers tested how hot water interacts with the plastic lining inside disposable paper cups and found that the cups released thousands of microplastic particles into the liquid within minutes of exposure. The polyethylene film coating degraded when exposed to hot water at typical beverage temperatures, releasing both microplastics and other potentially harmful chemical compounds. The study suggests that drinking hot beverages from disposable paper cups may be a significant source of human microplastic ingestion.

2020 Journal of Hazardous Materials 259 citations
Article Tier 2

Time-dependent release kinetics of nano plastics from disposable cups

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.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Simulation and Characterization of Nanoplastic Dissolution under Different Food Consumption Scenarios

Researchers found that nanoplastics leached from polypropylene, polyethylene, and casting polypropylene food packaging when exposed to hot water at 100-121 degrees Celsius, suggesting that hot beverages and takeaway food may be significant sources of nanoplastic ingestion.

2023 Toxics 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Unveiling the hidden threat of microplastic in paper cups and tea bags: a critical review of their exacerbation and alarming concern in India

Researchers reviewed how everyday paper cups and tea bags release microplastics and toxic chemicals — including phthalates and heavy metals — into hot beverages, with plastic coatings and bag materials breaking down during normal use, posing underappreciated health risks especially in tea-heavy cultures like India.

2025 Discover Applied Sciences 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Release from Single-Use Plastic Beverage Cups

This study measured microplastic release from four types of single-use beverage cups and found that hotter liquids and longer contact times caused significantly more particles to be released into the water. Expanded polystyrene cups released the most microplastics, meaning that drinking hot beverages from disposable plastic cups is a direct source of microplastic ingestion for people.

2024 Foods 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Determination of the microplastic particle release by tea bags during brewing

Researchers measured the release of microplastic particles from tea bags during brewing, finding that plastic particles leach into the hot beverage. This study highlights an often-overlooked source of microplastic ingestion through everyday food and drink preparation.

2021 JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING & PROCESSING MANAGEMENT 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Tea Polyphenol EGCG Increases Nanoplastics Release from Plastic Cups but Mitigates Potential Detrimental Effects

Researchers found that the tea polyphenol EGCG increases nanoplastic release from polystyrene cups during heating, but EGCG simultaneously mitigates the potential detrimental cellular effects of those nanoplastics through its antioxidant properties.

2024
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

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
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

Placental and fetal enrichment of microplastics from disposable paper cups: implications for metabolic and reproductive health during pregnancy

When researchers gave pregnant mice microplastics extracted from disposable paper cups at levels matching normal daily use, the particles accumulated in 13 different tissues including the placenta and fetal organs. The exposed mice showed disrupted metabolism and reproductive hormone changes, with female offspring developing ovarian damage, suggesting that something as routine as drinking hot beverages from paper cups could expose developing babies to harmful microplastics.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Hidden risk of microplastics in milk tea and coffee: A case study from China's freshly-made beverage market

Researchers tested 105 freshly made milk tea and coffee drinks from seven popular brands in China and found microplastics in 93% of the samples. The average cup contained about 10 particles, primarily polyamide, polyurethane, and PET, which likely originated from the surrounding environment rather than the ingredients themselves. The study estimates that Chinese adults may consume around 25 microplastic particles per kilogram of body weight each year from these beverages alone.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Synthetic microplastics in hot and cold beverages from the UK market: Comprehensive assessment of human exposure via total beverage intake

Researchers tested 155 common hot and cold beverages from UK stores and found microplastics in every single sample. Hot tea had the highest levels at about 60 particles per liter, and hot beverages consistently contained more microplastics than cold ones, suggesting that heat causes more plastic to leach from packaging. Based on typical UK drinking habits, the estimated daily microplastic intake from beverages alone was 3,432 to 6,864 particles per person.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment 7 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

Microplastics and nanoplastics in tea: Sources, characteristics and potential impacts

This review looks at how microplastics and nanoplastics end up in tea, with plastic teabags being the biggest culprit, releasing over a billion tiny particles per bag when steeped in hot water. Even biodegradable and composite tea bags release significant amounts of plastic particles, raising health concerns given that tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world.

2024 Food Chemistry 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Temperature Dominance in Governing Nanoplastic Release and Leachate Composition from Polylactic Acid–Based Disposable Plastics

Researchers found that biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) disposable cups released roughly 6 million nanoparticles per milliliter into water, substantially more than conventional polypropylene cups. Up to 55% of detected nanoparticles were self-assembled oligomer aggregates rather than true PLA particles, and water temperature was the dominant factor, with concentrations increasing nearly 100-fold between 50 and 70 degrees Celsius. The study suggests that hot beverage use in PLA cups drives the vast majority of human nanoplastic exposure from these products.

2026
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