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Your Morning Coffee May Be Full of Plastic
27 Aug
Summary
- Hot drinks in takeaway cups release millions of microplastic particles.
- Biodegradable cups release 12 times more plastic than traditional ones.
- Scientists urge regulators to consider microplastic release in safety guidelines.
Hot beverages poured into single-use takeaway cups can release millions of microplastic particles. Researchers at the University of Queensland studied both fossil-based polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) lined cups. They discovered that both types release plastic particles into drinks.
The study revealed that PLA-lined cups released about 12 times more plastic particles than PE-lined cups. Specifically, PLA-lined cups released approximately 4.3 million nanoparticles per milliliter, compared to 2.7 million from PE-lined cups. These nanoparticles are extremely fine, about a thousand times thinner than a human hair.
This research contributes to a growing body of evidence about new plastic products as a source of human exposure. Scientists suggest that materials used in food-contact items should be evaluated for particle release, not just environmental sustainability. They are calling for policymakers and regulators to consider safety guidelines and product labels regarding microplastic release from hot beverage cups.
