Hot Beverages in Paper Cups May Pose Hidden Health Risk: Study

Research shows hot tea or coffee in disposable paper cups can release up to 25,000 microplastic particles in just 15 minutes, meaning daily drinkers might ingest 75,000 particles raising health concerns.

Bhopal | November 14, 2025: A recent study has sounded a warning: your daily tea or coffee in a paper cup could carry more than just caffeine. Researchers at IIT Kharagpur found that when hot liquids (at roughly 85–90 °C) are poured into disposable paper cups, the plastic-lined internal layer begins breaking down, releasing microplastics into the drink.

The study revealed that within 15 minutes one cup of hot liquid (100 mL) can accumulate around 25,000 microplastic particles. For someone who uses paper cups for three hot beverages a day, that adds up to about 75,000 particles daily.

Even more alarming: the microplastic particles aren’t simply inert. The cup’s plastic lining may carry heavy metals like chromium and cadmium, or organic compounds that cling to the particles delivering them deep into the body. According to the lead researcher, these particles can reach organs such as the brain, heart, or even a foetus, and may interfere with hormonal, immune and nervous systems over time.

At the state level, health authorities in Madhya Pradesh and elsewhere have responded by urging citizens to shift away from disposable paper cups. The advice: use clay (kulhād), steel or glass vessels for hot drinks to avoid exposure to these “silent toxins”.

Experts caution that although long-term studies are still ongoing, the findings raise enough concern to merit action. The ease of switching to reusable drinkware presents a preventive measure. “Carrying your own steel or glass cup when travelling or drinking out has become a smart health move,” one commentator told us.

As more people hear about the findings, the question is not simply how often one uses a paper cup but when will we change to safer alternatives and reduce our routine exposure to micro-plastics?

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