Coffee in a paper cup: "Drink within 15 minutes"...a microplastic bomb
A study found that holding a hot beverage in a disposable paper cup for more than 15 minutes releases microplastics.
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology warn of the dangers of paper cups.
Recently, a research team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) published the results of a study warning about the risks associated with using paper cups in the environmental journal 'Journal of Hazardous Materials'.
The research team collected five types of commercially available disposable paper cups, poured water at 85-90 degrees Celsius into them, let them sit for 15 minutes, and analyzed the liquid inside. Using a fluorescence microscope, they quantitatively compared the particles released from the paper cups, using the number and size distribution of microplastic particles 10 micrometers (μm) or larger as indicators.
25,000 microplastics detected per 100ml of beverage
The test results showed that an average of 25,000 microplastics were detected per 100 milliliters of the beverage.
According to the research team, approximately 10.2 billion nano-sized plastic particles, too small to be seen with the naked eye, had seeped into the drink. This means that a cup of mixed coffee you casually sip during lunch could actually be mixed with plastic.
Harmful substances are released together from the inner coating layer
The cause of this was identified as a plastic coating layer applied to the inside of paper cups during the manufacturing process to prevent liquid penetration. The longer the exposure to hot liquid, the more quickly the coating deteriorated. Analysis revealed that this process could release not only microplastics, but also harmful chemicals such as ions, fluorine, sulfates, and heavy metals.
Easily absorbed by the body...may cause hormonal imbalances
The small size of the released micro- and nanoplastics, making them relatively easy to absorb into the body, was also cited as a problem. The research team explained that these particles can penetrate the human body through the bloodstream. In the long term, they could potentially disrupt the immune system or cause hormonal imbalances.
We recommend using your own tumbler.
Experts point out that the very perception that paper cups are a safer alternative to plastic cups is flawed. They warn that someone who drinks two or three cups of coffee from a paper cup every day could ingest trillions of nanoplastics over the course of a year. For health reasons, it's important to drink coffee within a short timeframe or use a personal tumbler made of stainless steel or glass.