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Disposable Paper cups (DP-cups) are widely utilized for serving beverages, but they pose significant environmental and public health risks due to their plastic linings, which are primarily composed of Poly-Ethylene (PE) or Poly-Styrene (PS). When subjected to heat, these polymers can degrade, leading to the release of microplastics (MPs) into the beverages. This study investigates the release of MPs from DP-cups under realistic usage conditions in Qatar, employing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for analysis. The SEM analysis revealed considerable thermal degradation of both the plastic lid and the internal PE coating, characterized by the formation of pores, increased surface roughness, cracking, and fragmentation—indicators of MPs release. The internal film exhibited further damage, such as delamination and significant cracking. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of PE through characteristic methylene group vibrations, indicated by absorption bands at 2916.02 and 2848.80 cm−1, which are characteristic of methylene group vibrations. Additionally, the PS lid showed aromatic C–H stretching peaks at 3058.82 and 3025.58 cm−1. These findings demonstrate that MPs are released under typical beverage consumption conditions and highlight the urgent need for safer material alternatives and improved waste management strategies to mitigate the associated health and environmental risks.

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The Illusion of Safety: Microplastic Leaching from Disposable Paper Cups and Public Health Implications in Qatar

  • 会议论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Marwa Al-Ani,
  • Ala Al-Ardah,
  • Sara Al-Baker,
  • Asma Mohamed,
  • Raneem Mohamed,
  • Naval Al-Hamdan,
  • Mostafa H. Sliem,
  • Noora Al-Qahtani

摘要

Disposable Paper cups (DP-cups) are widely utilized for serving beverages, but they pose significant environmental and public health risks due to their plastic linings, which are primarily composed of Poly-Ethylene (PE) or Poly-Styrene (PS). When subjected to heat, these polymers can degrade, leading to the release of microplastics (MPs) into the beverages. This study investigates the release of MPs from DP-cups under realistic usage conditions in Qatar, employing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for analysis. The SEM analysis revealed considerable thermal degradation of both the plastic lid and the internal PE coating, characterized by the formation of pores, increased surface roughness, cracking, and fragmentation—indicators of MPs release. The internal film exhibited further damage, such as delamination and significant cracking. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of PE through characteristic methylene group vibrations, indicated by absorption bands at 2916.02 and 2848.80 cm−1, which are characteristic of methylene group vibrations. Additionally, the PS lid showed aromatic C–H stretching peaks at 3058.82 and 3025.58 cm−1. These findings demonstrate that MPs are released under typical beverage consumption conditions and highlight the urgent need for safer material alternatives and improved waste management strategies to mitigate the associated health and environmental risks.