全球对微塑料(MPs)的关注正在增加,因为这些物质对生态系统和人类健康构成潜在威胁。一次性杯子,经常用作饮料的容器,通常由塑料或涂塑纸制成。在使用期间从一次性杯子释放MP可以为人类提供直接暴露途径。在这项研究中,90批商用一次性杯子的MP释放能力,包括聚乙烯(PE)涂层纸杯,聚丙烯(PP)杯,和聚苯乙烯(PS)杯,在日常使用条件下进行了调查,释放的MP颗粒的性质用拉曼光谱表征,扫描电子显微镜(SEM),和原子力显微镜(AFM)。在本研究中,对于每个测试的杯子,检测释放到含有饮料中的MP。释放的MPs颗粒呈不规则形状并且主要小于20μm。对于PE涂层纸杯,释放的MP的数量在675-5984、781-4951和838-5215颗粒/L的范围内,PP杯和PS杯,分别,当在95°C下含有纯水20分钟时。在实验条件下,在三种类型的杯子中没有观察到MP释放量的显著差异。发现高温促进MP从一次性杯子中的释放。当杯子第二次使用时,MP释放是值得注意的,虽然比第一次使用略低。与超纯水相比,酸性碳酸饮料明显增强了PE涂层杯子中MP的释放。
Global concern over microplastics (MPs) is increasing because of the potential threat these substances pose to ecosystem and human health. Disposable cups, frequently used as containers of beverages, are typically made of plastic or plastic-coated paper. The release of MPs from disposable cups during use may provide a direct exposure pathway for humans. In this study, the MP release capacities of 90 batches of commercial disposable cups, including polyethylene (PE)-coated paper cups, polypropylene (PP) cups, and polystyrene (PS) cups, were investigated under daily use conditions, and the properties of released MP particles are characterized with Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The MPs release into containing beverages is detected for each of the tested cups in this study. The released MPs particles are in irregular shapes and dominantly smaller than 20 μm. The quantities of released MPs are in the range of 675-5984, 781-4951, and 838-5215 particles/L for PE-coated paper cups, PP cups and PS cups, respectively, when containing pure water at 95 °C for 20 min. No significant difference in the quantity of MP released is observed among the three types of the cups in the experimental conditions. High temperature is found to promote the release of MPs from disposable cups. The MP release is notable when the cups are used for a second time, although at a slightly lower level than the first use. Acidic carbonated beverages obviously enhance MP release from PE-coated cups over that of ultrapure water.