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submitted 4 days ago by Wurzl@lemmy.zip to c/science@lemmy.world
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[-] Takashiro@lemmy.today 47 points 3 days ago

It is already annoying, let's just get this over and simply say if it is made of plastic, even in small part , it will release micro plastics .

Because every other day is another "revelation" of something obvious .

[-] littlewonder@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Even the paper fast food cups have a plastic liner, which isn't obvious unless you examine it or look into it. It's insane.

[-] crashfrog@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

How else would paper hold a liquid

[-] littlewonder@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 7 hours ago)

Back in my day, they used waxed paper.

:: disintegrates into dust and blows away ::

[-] crashfrog@lemmy.world 1 points 8 hours ago

Wait until you hear what a wax is

[-] MunkyNutts@lemmy.world 60 points 4 days ago
[-] daggermoon@piefed.world 88 points 4 days ago

I kinda figured that was the case.

[-] meat@lemmy.blahaj.zone 46 points 4 days ago

The coffee and cream also contain micro plastics.

[-] guy_threepwood@lemmy.world 35 points 4 days ago
[-] Gerblat@lemmy.world 18 points 4 days ago
[-] EliotLoudermilk@lemmy.world 16 points 4 days ago

But you get your choice of topping!

[-] idunnololz@lemmy.world 16 points 4 days ago
[-] whyNotSquirrel@sh.itjust.works 8 points 4 days ago

The toppings contain potassium benzoate

[-] Thurmyte@sh.itjust.works 11 points 4 days ago

That’s bad

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[-] 667@lemmy.radio 10 points 4 days ago

It’s microplastics all the way down.

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[-] inclementimmigrant@lemmy.world 7 points 3 days ago

Not surprising since we already have studies that show microplastics get released in things like plastic containers when used in the microwave that's caused due to heat but still good to know and be informed even if I don't use them outside of very occasionally.

[-] yuki_gassen@lemmy.ml 8 points 3 days ago

So do microplastics harm our bodies? I can't think it'll help, just wanna know the severity to be worried lol

[-] Kolanaki@pawb.social 6 points 3 days ago

We don't really know yet. Seems like there are assloads of studies finding plastic in places plastic probably shouldn't be, and literally none of whether or not this is actually bad or how bad it is.

[-] Nalivai@lemmy.world 7 points 3 days ago

There is also assloads of corrections finding that some of those studies were bust because of sample contamination during the study. It's almost impossible to not have microplastics everywhere including your research instruments. Which you'd think will be an evidence by itself, but we really can't tell anything.

[-] chunes@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Microplastics might be overblown because scientists didn't realize their gloves release particles that look like microplastics but aren't.

https://news.umich.edu/nitrile-and-latex-gloves-may-cause-overestimation-of-microplastics-u-m-study-reveals/

[-] inclementimmigrant@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36948312/

and

https://dceg.cancer.gov/news-events/news/2025/tgct-hispanic-men

No link has been found between the two of course but does make you go hmmmm.....

[-] heartSagan5@lemmy.zip 11 points 3 days ago

Just add it to road tires sloughing it by driving… It’s the new leaded disaster. Thanks oil lobbies.

[-] CultLeader4Hire@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

Lead is still a disaster though. Fazing lead pipes out is great but with out subsidies for remediation old lead pipes never get removed. Places like France didn’t even faze our lead pipes until 1995

[-] frongt@lemmy.zip 6 points 3 days ago

Lead pipes are safe while they're stable. If they get moved or cut or anything, or acid removes the protective layer, then they can become unsafe. Kind of like asbestos.

Lead in avgas, on the other hand, is definitely unsafe.

[-] MrOtingocni@lemmy.world 23 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Oh yeah? Well I'm releasing micro-me's into takeaway cups. Take that, microplastics industry!

[-] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 9 points 4 days ago

Given that cops on TV routinely use them for DNA, you're absolutely right.

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[-] bcgm3@lemmy.world 10 points 4 days ago

That's okay, all the individual ingredients are already riddled with micro-plastics, and so are we

Most coffee drinkers are addicts.

If you're an addict, I see no reason why you wouldn't bring your own steel double wall vacuum mug.

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[-] SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.world 9 points 4 days ago

I think at this point the environment is so infused with them that it is pointless to pretend we can avoid them.

[-] frongt@lemmy.zip 6 points 3 days ago

I remember one study about microplastics gave up because either they couldn't find an uncontaminated control, or their measuring equipment was contaminating it. I'm not sure if they could tell which one it was.

[-] EntheoNaut@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 days ago

This is clearly one of those: no fucking shit situations

Who the fuck sips hot beverages literally from plastic is not aware or considering the consequences.

Tf is wrong with most people.

People see a paper cup and dont think about how they make it waterproof

[-] rethnor@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 days ago

I thought it was wax, not plastic. The lid is plastic though.

[-] finallymadeanaccount@lemmy.world 11 points 4 days ago

Man, these university researchers just love telling us all the ways we're gonna contract some horrible condition, or disease, or death.

On the other hand, there are probably more carcinogens in city air than microplastic.

[-] zaphod@sopuli.xyz 17 points 4 days ago

There's microplastic in the air.

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[-] moldy_rice@piefed.keyboardvagabond.com 9 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

But not the paper one's, right

Edit: if the paper cup is lined with PLA or PE, yes.

[-] impairedimperator@lemmy.zip 6 points 4 days ago

Any "paper" food container is lined with plastic. Grease barrier, water barrier, etc.

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[-] pumpkin_spice@lemmy.today 5 points 4 days ago

Every disposable food and drink container made of paper is lined with PFAS.

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[-] Rolive@discuss.tchncs.de 11 points 4 days ago

PLA microplastic is pretty harmless I think. It should degrade into lactic acid inside the body pretty quickly.

[-] antianarchist@sopuli.xyz 7 points 4 days ago

Wait what?

TIL. Now I know why PLA is so often used in 3d printing

The main reasons it's used in 3d printing have more to do with cost (it's cheap) and its mechanical properties (low-ish melting temp, low expansion/contraction when heated/cooled, low warping, durable enough), as well as not releasing tons of nasty fumes when heated.

Some other benefits are that it's typically made from corn rather than oil, and can be composted in an industrial setting.

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[-] DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world 6 points 4 days ago

But before that, the processing of the various things put in the cups adds microplastics too.

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[-] 404found@lemmy.zip 7 points 4 days ago

Thank god my K-Cup is safe from releasing microplastics. Pesky takeaway cups.

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this post was submitted on 10 Sep 2026
358 points (98.1% liked)

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