Does hot coffee in a styrofoam cup leach more chemicals than hot coffee in paper?
Yes. Styrofoam releases styrene into hot coffee. Paper cups have their own problem: PFAS-coated liners.
What's actually in it
Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) cups release styrene, classed as a possible human carcinogen, when they hold hot liquid. Paper cups are lined with a thin plastic layer (usually polyethylene) plus, often, PFAS for grease resistance. Both leach at different rates.
Coffee is hot, slightly acidic, and fatty (with milk), which is the fastest way to pull chemicals out of any cup.
What the research says
A 2025 study in J Agric Food Chem found that hot water pulled billions of nanoplastic particles out of polypropylene containers, with similar behavior expected for other thermoplastics used in to-go cups. Paper cups with PFAS liners release fluorinated chemicals that don't break down in the body.
The cleanest move is a reusable stainless steel or ceramic cup for daily coffee. If you need disposable, paper cups without PFAS liners exist (look for "compostable, PFAS-free"). Styrofoam is the worst of the common choices.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Release of Nanoplastics from Polypropylene Food Containers into Hot and Cold Water. | J Agric Food Chem | 2025 |
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