Tea is a popular beverage in India, often consumed in disposable plastic or paper cups and plates for convenience. These paper cups are made for single use and are considered convenient. But did you know that these disposable cups and plates used at roadside tea stalls, in offices, and hotels are not safe for you? According to doctors, these disposable products, when exposed to heat, can pose many of the same risks as plastic.
Although disposable cups and plates may look like paper, they are not entirely made of paper. To make them water-resistant, manufacturers apply a thin layer of plastic, which is not easily visible to the naked eye. This layer is usually made of polyethylene (PE) or a similar polymer. This layer prevents liquids from leaking out, but at the same time, it brings the food or beverage into direct contact with the plastic layer, which is extremely harmful.
When hot tea, coffee, or freshly cooked food comes into contact with this plastic coating, the layer softens and begins to dissolve. This leads to two processes occurring rapidly. Firstly, microplastic particles start mixing with the food, and secondly, harmful chemicals dissolve into the beverage or food.
What do doctors say?
According to Dr. Bhupesh Shah, a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon from Ahmedabad, "Microplastic particles are released from disposable cups, which are usually invisible. But repeated exposure to them can harm your body. These plastic layers and the adhesives used in them melt at high temperatures and mix with the food."
Dr. Shah further explains, "These microplastics, which dissolve in food and hot beverages, can enter the body. These particles can accumulate in the body's organs, cause inflammation or irritation in the lining of the intestines, and disrupt the body's natural functions. According to research, exposure to microplastics can lead to risks such as intestinal inflammation, disruption of the microbiome, and a weakened immune system."