The same cup that keeps your coffee warm may be the very thing that makes it less safe to drink.
A recent study found that heat can release thousands to hundreds of thousands of microplastics into a beverage, depending on the cup material and temperature, raising questions about one of the world’s most common daily habits.
Heat and Cup Choice Matter
The study, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials: Plastics, found that heat is a key driver of microplastic release from disposable containers. While microplastics leached regardless of the temperature at which the beverage was held, leaching levels increased as the temperature rose.
Rachel Ann T. Melegrito
Author
Rachel Melegrito worked as an occupational therapist, specializing in neurological cases. Melegrito also taught university courses in basic sciences and professional occupational therapy. She earned a master's degree in childhood development and education in 2019. Since 2020, Melegrito has written extensively on health topics for various publications and brands.
