Now In Korea
Invisible Toxins in Paper Cups: Hot Drinks Release Micro- and Nanoplastics
Creatrip Team
a month ago
New studies at home and abroad find large amounts of micro- and nano-plastic particles and potentially harmful chemicals released from the thin plastic lining inside paper cups when they contain hot beverages. The polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) coatings that make cups leakproof can soften at 80–90°C; experiments show hundreds to thousands of particles per liter after brief exposure to very hot water. Korean researchers also detected nanometer-sized particles (using nanopore sensing) that trigger inflammatory responses in immune cells. The World Health Organization warns that ingested microplastics may raise immune reactions and oxidative stress; long-term exposure has been linked in some studies to disrupted gut bacteria, organ inflammation, hormonal disruption, and cardiovascular risks. Another concern is PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), sometimes used in water-resistant coatings, which can accumulate in the body and have been associated with higher blood pressure in some research. Experts advise avoiding keeping hot drinks in disposable paper cups for long periods or reusing them, and recommend using reusable tumblers (텀블러) where possible. Besides health risks, paper cups are hard to recycle because paper and plastic are fused, and discarded cups eventually break down into microplastics that pollute soil and oceans.
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