Papers

20 results
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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

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

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

Quantification analysis of microplastics released from disposable polystyrene tableware with fluorescent polymer staining

Researchers developed a fluorescent polymer staining method to quantify microplastics released from disposable polystyrene tableware, finding that hot water temperature and contact time significantly increased microplastic release into food.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 31 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

New insights into the photo-degraded polystyrene microplastic: Effect on the release of volatile organic compounds

Researchers investigated how ultraviolet light breaks down polystyrene microplastics and what volatile organic compounds are released during the process. They found that while the physical properties of the microplastics changed only slightly during UV exposure, the particles released a variety of potentially harmful volatile chemicals. The study provides new insights into the secondary pollution risks posed by microplastics as they degrade in the environment.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials 96 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

Nanoplastics release from polystyrene foam containers

Researchers found that polystyrene foam instant noodle containers release significantly more nanoplastics when exposed to hot water above 70°C, and that residual oil from fried noodles amplifies particle release tenfold by physically damaging the foam's cellular structure, raising food safety concerns about this common packaging.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials
Article Tier 2

Studies on styrene concentration in drinking water and hot beverages in some settings

This study measured styrene — a potentially carcinogenic chemical derived from polystyrene plastic — in drinking water and hot beverages, finding detectable levels in samples from polystyrene containers. The findings highlight that plastic packaging can leach toxic monomers into beverages, adding to concerns about chemical exposure from plastic food contact materials.

2018 AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
Article Tier 2

Cover Picture

This cover picture summary describes research showing that polystyrene foam food containers release microplastics during normal everyday use. The finding raises concern about a common and often overlooked source of microplastic ingestion by humans.

2021 EcoMat
Article Tier 2

Evaluating microplastic emission from takeaway containers: A Micro-Raman approach across diverse exposure scenarios

Researchers tested how many microplastics are released from common takeaway food containers made of polypropylene, polystyrene, and PET when exposed to different temperatures and acidic conditions. PET and polystyrene containers released microplastics under all conditions, with significantly more released at high temperatures (100 degrees Celsius). Notably, polypropylene containers released no detectable microplastics, suggesting they may be a safer choice for hot food and beverages.

2024 Food Chemistry 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring polystyrene weathering behavior: From surface traits to micro(nano)plastics and additives release

Researchers systematically studied how polystyrene weathers under UV light and mechanical stress, tracking the release of microplastics, nanoplastics, and chemical additives over time. They found that weathering progressively altered the surface properties of the plastic and increased the release of smaller particles and potentially harmful additives. The findings help predict how polystyrene products break down in the environment and what secondary pollutants they generate.

2024 Journal of Environmental Management 11 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

Nanoplastics formed during the mechanical breakdown of daily-use polystyrene products

This study demonstrated that everyday mechanical use of polystyrene products generates nanoplastic particles, confirming that nanoplastics are continuously produced from common consumer items through normal wear and tear. The findings suggest nanoplastic exposure from household products may be more widespread than previously appreciated.

2018 Nanoscale Advances 291 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

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

Development and validation of simple UV-spectrophotometric method for the estimation of polystyrene plastic/microplastic

Researchers developed a simple UV spectrophotometry method to detect and quantify polystyrene microplastics in samples. Polystyrene is widely used in food packaging and can release styrene — a potential carcinogen — when in contact with hot or fatty foods, making reliable detection methods important for monitoring contamination.

2023 Pharmaspire 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of Polymer Type, Storage Temperature, and Holding Times on the Release of Micro- and Nanoplastics from Food Packaging

Researchers assessed how polymer type, storage temperature, and holding time affect the release of micro- and nanoplastics from polystyrene, polypropylene, and PET food packaging. Higher temperatures and longer storage times significantly increased MNP release, with PS releasing more particles than PP or PET.

2025 ScholarsArchive (Brigham Young University)
Article Tier 2

Releasing characteristics of toxic chemicals from polystyrene microplastics in the aqueous environment during photoaging process

This study revealed that as polystyrene microplastics age under UV light, they release a growing number of toxic chemicals including organic compounds and heavy metals into surrounding water. The rate of chemical release increased dramatically with aging time, meaning that weathered microplastics in the environment are more chemically hazardous than fresh ones, with implications for water quality and human exposure.

2024 Water Research 26 citations
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