PFOA and PFOS levels in microwave paper packaging between 2005 and 2018

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are synthetic environmental pollutants previously used for packaging applications as a grease, oil, and water-resistant coating. Exposure reported in previous studies highlighting potential concerns with public health. This study evaluated performance of coated paper packaging used for microwave popcorn, snacks, and sandwich bags for presence of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Current paper packaging materials: seven popcorn bags and three snack and sandwich bags were analysed for PFOA and PFOS and compared to concentrations in microwave popcorn bags between 2005 and 2018. Only two microwave popcorn bags had average PFOA content above the limit of quantitation of 5.11 ng g⁻¹ paper. All other sample types had PFOA and PFOS values below the limit of detection (LOD) of 1.53 and 0.63 ng g⁻¹ paper, respectively. Results of this study follow trends from 2005 to 2018 suggesting a reduction in PFOS and PFOA concentrations in microwave packaging.

KEYWORDS:

• Perfluorinated compounds
• PFAS
• PFOS
• food packaging
• persistent organic pollutant
• perfluorooctanoic acid
• perfluorooctane sulfonate

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa and Project No. [IOW03902] by the Hatch Act and State of Iowa and the Polymer and Food Protection Consortium of Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.