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Journal Title Abbrev.
J. Elem.
ISSN – 1644-2296
DOI: 10.5601

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Microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals released from disposable hot beverage cups and tea bags and their evaluation in terms of human health safety

Issue: 1/2024

Recevied: September 14, 2023

Accepted: March 15, 2024

Published: March 19, 2024

Authors:

N. Tan Tabakoglu, K. Sezer, S. Celik

Categories: Pollution and environment, Medicine and veterinary, Food science

DOI: 10.5601/jelem.2023.28.3.3121

Abstract:

Microplastics (MPs) are pollutants that contaminate resources such as water, air, and soil. Humans can encounter microplastics by ways of inhalation, digestion, or dermal contact. The use of single use paper and plastic cups, as well as tea bags, is very common. These vessels are usually made of plastic, and the teas bags are usually made of half-synthetic cellulose. This study aims to draw attention to their effects of them on human health by analyzing MPs as a result of contact with plastic paper cups and teabags with a hot aqueous solution (50°C, 70°C, and 90°C). In this study used scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and the results were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Number of MP particles released from teabags increased to 4.59 x 104 particles/mL while in paper cups and plastic cups MP particle numbers elevated to 2.94 x 104 particles/mL and 2.11 x 104 particles/mL respectively. Total phthalate compound concentrations determined in aqueous solution samples were 1.74 - 2.42 µg/L in tea bags, 1.49 - 2.40 µg/L in paper cups, 1.20 - 1.28 µg/L in plastic cups; Bisphenol A concentration ranges were determined as 0.015-0.045 µg/L in plastic cups, 0.006-0.011 µg/L in tea bags and 0.005-0.006 µg/L in paper cups. Since the consumption of tea or coffee that comes into contact with disposable plastics every day may increase the daily MP intake and may cause health problems in the future.

Citation:

JELEM / HARVARD

quote-mark
Tan Tabakoglu, N., Sezer, K. and Celik, S. (2024) 'Microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals released from disposable hot beverage cups and tea bags and their evaluation in terms of human health safety', Journal of Elementology, 29(1), 245-263, available: https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2023.28.3.3121

MDPI

quote-mark
Tan Tabakoglu, N.; Sezer, K.; Celik, S. Microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals released from disposable hot beverage cups and tea bags and their evaluation in terms of human health safety. J. Elem. 2024, 29, 1, 245-263. https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2023.28.3.3121

AMA

quote-mark
Tan Tabakoglu N, Sezer K, Celik S. Microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals released from disposable hot beverage cups and tea bags and their evaluation in terms of human health safety. J. Elem. 2024;29(1): 245-263. https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2023.28.3.3121

CHICAGO

quote-mark
Tan Tabakoglu Nilgun, Sezer Kenan, Celik Saffet. 2024. "Microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals released from disposable hot beverage cups and tea bags and their evaluation in terms of human health safety" J. Elem. 29, no.1: 245-263. https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2023.28.3.3121



Keywords:

microplastics, health, paper cup, plastic cup, teabag

About issue:

29.1.2024
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