Papers

61,005 results
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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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Releasing characteristics and risk of micro/nanoplastics from Chinese herbal decoction packages under daily usage scenarios

Researchers tested how much micro- and nanoplastic is released from single-use Chinese herbal medicine packaging under normal usage conditions. They found that a single package could release up to 1.21 million microplastics and 4.32 billion nanoplastics, with hotter filling temperatures producing more nanoparticles. Cell experiments showed these released particles triggered inflammatory responses, raising concerns about plastic exposure from common food-contact packaging.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 5 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
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

Polystyrene nanoplastics foster Escherichia coli O157:H7 growth and antibiotic resistance with a stimulating effect on metabolism

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics promoted the growth and antibiotic resistance of pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 by stimulating bacterial metabolism, raising concerns about increased contamination risks in aquatic environments.

2023 Environmental Science Nano 10 citations