Abundant evidence of microplastics (MP) found in the environment, and its toxicity effect in animals calls for human-related research. However, well-established quantitative controlled studies on the potential route of human exposure to MP are still sparse. MP count, size and morphology in 15 polylactic acid (PLA)-lined plastic cups and 15 PLA-lined paper cups were examined using Nile Red fluorescence tagging, microscopic photography, and morphology assessment and quantification based on ImageJ. In the plastic cups, the count and area of MP fibers were found to be significantly higher compared with blanks (p < 0.05), but not MP particles or total MP. In paper cups, count or area was not significantly different in terms of MP particle, MP fibers or total MP. No interesting trend was observed in the distribution regarding the size of MP particles or fibers. These results indicate that selected paper cups and plastic cups could be considered as safe beverage containers, but further research on the toxicological effects of MPs in different morphologies released from plastic cups on human health is needed.

在环境中发现大量的微塑料（MP）及其对动物的毒性作用需要进行与人类有关的研究。但是，关于人类暴露于MP的潜在途径的公认定量对照研究仍然很少。使用Nile Red荧光标记，显微镜照相以及基于ImageJ的形态评估和定量检查了15个内衬有PLA的塑料杯和15个内衬有PLA的纸杯中的MP数量，大小和形态。在塑料杯中，发现MP纤维的数量和面积均显着高于空白（p<0.05），但不包含MP粒子或总MP。在纸杯中，MP颗粒，MP纤维或总MP的数量或面积没有显着差异。在MP颗粒或纤维的尺寸分布中未观察到有趣的趋势。这些结果表明，可以将选定的纸杯和塑料杯视为安全的饮料容器，但是需要进一步研究塑料杯释放出的不同形态的MP对人体健康的毒理作用。