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Human Health Concerns With Paper Cups

Disposable paper cups are found in all sorts of places, from office water coolers to fast food restaurants, to camp grounds to and festivals. In fact, according to About My Planet.com, "in the US, 16 billion cups are used for coffee each year. This equals about 6.5 million trees." While the risks to trees are apparent, there are also several health risks for people who use paper cups.

  1. Bisphenol A (BPA)

    • When used as a resin, BPA primarily makes plastic products, such as eyeglass lenses and DVDs. It is also found in many paper products, including paper cups. The BPA finds its way into paper cups, either due to cup production lines using BPA resin-lined parts, or through the plastic sleeve used to hold the paper cups in the grocery store. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, BPA is linked to increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and liver problems. In fact, BPA is so prevalent, tests have shown signs of BPA in human blood and breast milk. Paper cups made from recycled paper have a higher concentration of BPA.

    Mold

    • While many paper cups are coated with a thin layer of wax to stave off mildew and mold, cheaper cups and paper cones (often located near office water coolers) do not. These cups are susceptible to mildew and mold spores, especially when set near a condensing coffee maker or underneath a hot dog heater at a hot dog stand. Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds feed on paper and fester in warm, wet conditions. This mold in particular releases mycotoxins, which cause a range of health issues, including pulmonary hemosiderosis and hemorrhage. Other molds can cause allergic reactions, headaches and fever.

    Melamine Poisoning

    • While some cups are unprotected and susceptible to moisture, cups from coffee shops are often coated with a protective substance. These cups are also sturdily made and glued at the seam. Unfortunately, the glue used to hold these cups together partially dissolves when the coffee is poured into the cup, releasing trace amounts of toxins, such as melamine, into the coffee. While a single dose of melamine is low risk, tests on rats have shown that increased exposure leads to an increase in weight gain, diarrhea, bladder stones and even cancerous deposits.

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