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

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.

Keywords:

• migration
• plasticiser
• phthalate
• alkylphenol
• bisphenol A
• nonylphenol
• SPE
• GC-MS

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by el Departament d’Universitats, Recerca i Societat de la Informació de la Generalitat de Catalunya; and A. Guart acknowledges the Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (AGAUR) in the context of the programme Talent-Empresa (TEM 2009) for its scholarship. This study was financed by the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia in the context of the project ‘Desarrollo y validación de un método analítico para la detección de residuos de plastificantes y surfactantes en aguas embotelladas’ (PET2006_0615). Jorge Oliver-Rodés is thanked for encouraging this study and for directing and facilitating the joint research activities. Dr B. Oliver-Rodés and M. C. Pastor are thanked for their positive inputs and suggestions reflecting their long experience in the bottling sector. Dr R. Chaler, D. Fanjul and M. Comesaña are acknowledged for their assistance with the GC-MS.