Papers

61,005 results
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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

Measurement of Residual Amount of Nanoplastics in vivo from Disposable Paper Cups

This study found that disposable paper cups lined with plastic release nanoplastics into hot beverages and that these nanoplastics can persist in the body. The results suggest that using single-use paper cups for hot drinks is a significant and largely overlooked source of nanoplastic exposure in daily life.

2023 Korean Science Education Society for the Gifted
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

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

Monitoring of microplastics, ions and heavy metals in disposable paper cups from Turkiye marketplaces

Researchers analyzed 10 paper cup brands from Turkish markets for microplastic and heavy metal contamination, identifying MP particles and elevated levels of ions and metals that could leach into beverages. The study raised concerns about microplastic and chemical exposure from disposable paper cups used in everyday settings.

2025 Food and Chemical Toxicology
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

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

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

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

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

Nanoplastic release from disposable plastics: Correlation with maximum service temperature

Testing five types of disposable plastics confirmed that nanoplastic release correlates with maximum service temperature, with materials used beyond their temperature limits releasing significantly more nanoplastics when packaging hot food, cooking in ovens, or using microwaves.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Pouring hot water through drip bags releases thousands of microplastics into coffee

Researchers found that pouring hot water through drip coffee bags releases thousands of microplastic particles into the beverage, with polyester and polypropylene bags releasing significantly more particles than other materials, raising concerns about daily microplastic ingestion from food packaging.

2023 Food Chemistry 46 citations
Article Tier 2

MPs in drinking water and beverages: Concentrations, characteristics and implications for human exposure

Researchers reviewed 10 years of studies on microplastics in drinking water, bottled water, tea, coffee, and other beverages, finding that contamination levels vary widely by region, packaging type, and how hot the liquid gets. Children face disproportionately higher exposure relative to body weight, and the review highlights a critical need for standardized testing methods to better assess health risks from daily beverage consumption.

2025 Emerging contaminants 4 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
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Release of microplastics from commonly used plastic containers: Combined meta-analysis and case study

This meta-analysis pooled data from 30 studies and found that plastic cups and containers release significantly more microplastics at higher temperatures. Hot drinks and heated food containers can release hundreds to millions of particles per use, depending on the plastic type. This is a practical health concern — it suggests that letting hot beverages cool before drinking from plastic containers, or switching to glass or ceramic, could reduce your microplastic intake.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials Plastics 2 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