If you often drink your takeaway coffee through the sipping hole on its plastic cover, you probably should drop the habit as soon as possible. Some experts now warn that such plastic lids usually contain a health-threatening substance called "Bisphenol-A" that may cause harms to a person's reproductive ability.

Convenience stores offering take-away hot coffee or hot chocolate may be very convenient with many office workers holding a cup of coffee in hand.

However, this kind of hot drink cup may be dangerous to one's health.

The latest obstetrics and gynecology study in Taiwan found that these plastic lids made from recycled plastic material number 6, can release bisphenol-A when heated at a temperature in excess of 65 degrees.

This can affect human hormones such as early and irregular menstruation in women, as well as endometriosis and other symptoms.

In addition, microwaving food in plastic lunch boxes, plastic bags containing soup, Styrofoam bowls of instant noodles all contain harmful substances of bisphenol A. Although the Health Department has not designated these plastic containers as being dangerous,

doctors still suggest people to make more use of steel cups, glass or porcelain for hot drinks and food, so as to stay away from harmful chemicals.