A groundbreaking study from IIT Kharagpur, led by Associate Professor Sudha Goel, has exposed that hot beverages like tea or coffee served in disposable paper cups release approximately 25,000 microplastic particles into a 100ml serving within just 15 minutes, equating to over 75,000 particles for those consuming three cups daily.
These particles, stemming from the polyethylene plastic lining on paper cups, pose serious health threats including cancer risks, hormonal imbalances, and nervous system damage by carrying toxic heavy metals like cadmium and chromium.
Bhopal’s Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Manish Sharma has publicly warned against their use, labelling paper cups a “silent health hazard” and advocating a switch to traditional kulhads, glass, or steel alternatives, amid renewed campaigns for public awareness and regulatory action in late 2025.
Microplastics Unleashed: Study Details and Expert Warnings
The IIT Kharagpur research meticulously simulated real-world conditions by pouring hot water at 85-90°C into standard disposable paper cups, which are coated with a thin polyethylene film to prevent leakage.
Within 15 minutes, the heat caused the lining to degrade, leaching out tens of thousands of micron-sized plastic particles ranging from 10 to 1000 micrometres directly into the liquid.
Lead researcher Dr Sudha Goel emphasised the gravity of the findings in her statement: “Our research has confirmed contamination of the hot liquid served in paper cups due to the degradation of microplastics and other hazardous components from the lining material.”
This discovery builds on laboratory analysis using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy, revealing not just the quantity but the insidious nature of these invisible invaders.
Health experts have amplified the alarm, linking chronic microplastic exposure to a cascade of biological disruptions. Dr Manish Sharma, speaking to media in Bhopal recently, urged immediate behavioural shifts: “Citizens must abandon these plastic-lined disposables; they are a ticking time bomb for public health.
Opt for kulhads, glass, or steel to safeguard yourself and the environment.” Toxicologists note that these particles act as Trojan horses for heavy metals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, potentially accumulating in organs over time and exacerbating conditions from infertility to neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
Environmentalists like those cited in recent social media drives highlight the dual crisis: personal toxicity alongside planetary pollution, as discarded cups contribute to the 40 million tonnes of plastic waste India generates annually.
India’s Tea Culture Under Scrutiny: Broader Context and Historical Backdrop
India’s chai obsession where over a billion cups are sipped daily makes this study particularly resonant, transforming a national ritual into a potential health pitfall. Roadside tea stalls, office canteens, and railway platforms have long embraced disposable paper cups for their perceived convenience and hygiene, especially post-pandemic.
Yet, this reliance overlooks the plastic interlayer designed to hold hot liquids, a flaw first flagged in the original 2020 IIT Kharagpur paper but resurfacing in 2025 media amid stalled progress on alternatives.
Earlier studies had pinpointed microplastics in oceans, seafood, and bottled water, but this hot beverage focus shifts scrutiny to terrestrial daily habits, affecting urban commuters and rural workers alike.
The issue traces back to a surge in single-use plastics following the 2018 nationwide ban on thinner polythene bags, which inadvertently boosted paper cup usage without addressing their hidden plastic content.
Government initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission and Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016, amended 2022) have pushed for extended producer responsibility, yet enforcement lags, particularly in informal sectors.
Recent November 2025 coverage on platforms like Instagram and News18 has reignited debates, with vendors in Pune and Bhopal reporting customer queries and tentative trials of clay kulhads echoing ancient traditions revived for modern sustainability.
NGOs such as the Centre for Science and Environment advocate for incentives like subsidies on steel tumblers, while urban experiments in Gurugram and Bengaluru show reusable cup deposit schemes cutting waste by 30% in pilot cafes.
Public response has been mixed: awareness campaigns gain traction online, but affordability and habit inertia hinder widespread adoption. Doctors in tier-2 cities report upticks in consultations over unexplained fatigue and digestive woes, speculatively tied to cumulative exposures.
This study arrives at a pivotal moment, as India’s 2025 National Green Tribunal hearings on microplastics loom, potentially mandating disclosures on cup linings and phasing out non-biodegradable options by 2027.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Every sip from a paper cup now carries a hidden cost to our bodies and shared Earth, reminding us that true progress lies in choices rooted in foresight and care for one another. The Logical Indian stands firmly for awakening collective consciousness through kindness and dialogue, urging manufacturers to innovate transparent, plastic-free packaging, policymakers to enforce accessible alternatives, and communities to revive traditions like kulhads that honour our heritage while healing the planet. Empathy demands we prioritise harmony between human health, environmental stewardship, and economic viability fostering coexistence where convenience bows to sustainability.
