Migration of plasticizers phthalates, bisphenol A and alkylphenols from plastic containers and evaluation of risk

Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess. 2011 May;28(5):676-85. doi: 10.1080/19440049.2011.555845.

Abstract

This study investigates the potential migration of plasticisers, plastic components and additives from several plastic water bottles. Compounds studied were phthalates (dimethyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, benzylbutyl phthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, octylphenol, 4-nonylphenol and bisphenol A. Polycarbonate (PC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS) plastics used in the water bottling sector were tested using three kinds of total or specific migration tests: (1) standard method UNE-EN ISO 177; (2) ultrasonic forced extraction; and (3) standard method UNE-EN 13130-1. In addition, bottled waters contained in different plastic materials were analysed to determine the potential migration of target compounds in real conditions. In all cases, samples were solid-phase extracted using Oasis HLB 200 mg cartridges and analysed using GC-MS in scan-acquisition mode. Bisphenol A and 4-nonylphenol were detected in incubated samples, indicating that migration from food plastics can occur at the experimental conditions tested. The total daily intake was calculated according to the levels detected in bottled water and the assessment of the consumers' risk was evaluated taking into consideration toxicological and legislative values.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Cooking and Eating Utensils*
  • Diffusion
  • Drinking
  • Endocrine Disruptors / administration & dosage
  • Endocrine Disruptors / analysis
  • Endocrine Disruptors / chemistry
  • Endocrine Disruptors / toxicity
  • Food Packaging
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Humans
  • Limit of Detection
  • Materials Testing / instrumentation
  • Materials Testing / methods
  • Phenols / administration & dosage
  • Phenols / analysis*
  • Phenols / chemistry
  • Phenols / toxicity
  • Phthalic Acids / administration & dosage
  • Phthalic Acids / analysis*
  • Phthalic Acids / chemistry
  • Phthalic Acids / toxicity
  • Plasticizers / administration & dosage
  • Plasticizers / analysis*
  • Plasticizers / chemistry
  • Plasticizers / toxicity
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Solid Phase Extraction
  • Solubility
  • Ultrasonics
  • Water / administration & dosage
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Phenols
  • Phthalic Acids
  • Plasticizers
  • Polymers
  • Water
  • 4-nonylphenol
  • bisphenol A