Assessment of baby Bibs. GC-MS screening, migration into saliva and insight of toxicity with QSAR tools

Evaluating the food safety and risk assessment evidence-base of polyethylene terephthalate oligomers: A systematic evidence map

BACKGROUND

The presence of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) oligomers in food contact materials (FCMs) is well-documented. Consumers are exposed through their migration into foods and beverages; however, there is no specific guidance for their safety evaluation.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic evidence map (SEM) aims to identify and organize existing knowledge and associated gaps in hazard and exposure information on 34 PET oligomers to support regulatory decision-making.

METHODS

The methodology for this SEM was recently registered. A systematic search in bibliographic and gray literature sources was conducted and studies evaluated for inclusion according to the Populations, Exposures, Comparators, Outcomes, and Study type (PECOS) framework. Inclusion criteria were designed to record hazard and exposure information for all 34 PET oligomers and coded into the following evidence streams: human, animal, organism (non-animal), ex vivo, in vitro, in silico, migration, hydrolysis, and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion/toxicokinetics/pharmacokinetics (ADME/TK/PK) studies. Relevant information was extracted from eligible studies and synthesized according to the protocol.

RESULTS

Literature searches yielded 7445 unique records, of which 96 were included. Data comprised migration (560 entries), ADME/TK/PK-related (253 entries), health/bioactivity (98 entries) and very few hydrolysis studies (7 entries). Cyclic oligomers were studied more frequently than linear PET oligomers. In vitro results indicated that hydrolysis of cyclic oligomers generated a mixture of linear oligomers, but not monomers, potentially allowing their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Cyclic dimers, linear trimers and the respective smaller oligomers exhibit physico-chemical properties making oral absorption more likely. Information on health/bioactivity effects of oligomers was almost non-existent, except for limited data on mutagenicity.

CONCLUSIONS

This SEM revealed substantial deficiencies in the available evidence on ADME/TK/PK, hydrolysis, and health/bioactivity effects of PET oligomers, currently preventing appropriate risk assessment. It is essential to develop more systematic and tiered approaches to address the identified research needs and assess the risks of PET oligomers.

Levels of phthalates and bisphenol in toys from Brazilian markets: Migration rate into children's saliva and daily exposure

Bisphenols (BPs) and phthalate esters (PAEs) are extensively used in toys and childcare products. Therefore, children may be exposed to these compounds, causing potential adverse effects. Despite the strict control of the levels of these contaminants in toys by some nations, routine testing in Brazil is very scarce. The present study was aimed at determining the concentrations of PAEs and BPs in toys commercialized in Brazil, employing GC-MS and LC-MS/MS, respectively. Furthermore, the migration capacity of PAEs into saliva and the daily intake (EDI) were also estimated. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was the PAE with the highest detection rate (93%) and migration rate (0.26 μg/min). Moreover, the levels of DEHP in some samples were above the threshold values set by the European Commission and the Brazilian Institute of Metrology, Standardization, and Industrial Quality. Among the BPs analogs, BPA and BPS presented the highest positive detection rates (72% and 30%, respectively). However, their levels were below the permitted values in all analyzed samples. A daily intake of DEHP was estimated at 29.8 μg/kg bw/day, being this exposure similar to those found in other countries and below the EFSA acceptable intake limit (50 μg/kg bw/day). However, our data are referred to exposure through oral contact with the analyzed toys, while the contribution of other potential sources, such as food consumption, were not here considered. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study estimating the exposure of Brazilian children to PAEs and BPs, considering toys as the exposure source. These preliminary data may become a valuable guide for the control of EDC levels in toys commercialized in Brazil, as well as for future studies regarding estimation of exposure to EDCs by children taking into account multiple potential sources.

Safety of Plastic Food Packaging: The Challenges about Non-Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS) Discovery, Identification and Risk Assessment

Several food contact materials (FCMs) contain non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), and most of the substances that migrate from plastic food packaging are unknown. This review aimed to situate the main challenges involving unknown NIAS in plastic food packaging in terms of identification, migration tests, prediction, sample preparation, determination methods and risk assessment trials. Most studies have identified NIAS in plastic materials as polyurethane adhesives (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester coatings, polypropylene materials (PP), multilayers materials, plastic films, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), recycled materials, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Degradation products are almost the primary source of NIAS in plastic FCMs, most from antioxidants as Irganox 1010 and Irgafos 168, following by oligomers and side reaction products. The NIAS assessment in plastics FCMs is usually made by migration tests under worst-case conditions using food simulants. For predicted NIAS, targeted analytical methods are applied using GC-MS based methods for volatile NIAS and GC-MS and LC-MS based methods for semi- and non-volatile NIAS; non-targeted methods to analyze unknown NIAS in plastic FCMs are applied using GC and LC techniques combined with QTOF mass spectrometry (HRMS). In terms of NIAS risk assessment and prioritization, the threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) concept is the most applied tool for risk assessment. Bioassays with sensitive analytical techniques seem to be an efficient method to identify NIAS and their hazard to human exposure; the combination of genotoxicity testing with analytical chemistry could allow the Cramer class III TTC application to prioritize unknown NIAS. The scientific justification for implementing a molecular weight-based cut-off (<1000 Da) in the risk assessment of FCMs should be reevaluated. Although official guides and opinions are being issued on the subject, the whole chain's alignment is needed, and more specific legislation on the steps to follow to get along with NIAS.

Dental resins used in 3D printing technologies release ovo-toxic leachates

We recently engineered the first female reproductive tract on a chip (EVATAR), to enable sex-based ex vivo research. To increase the scalability and accessibility of EVATAR, we turned to 3D printing (3DP) technologies, selecting two biocompatible 3DP resins, Dental SG (DSG) and Dental LT (DLT) to generate 3DP microphysiologic platforms. Due to the known sensitivity of reproductive cells to leachable compounds, we first screened for toxicity of these biomaterials using an in vitro mammalian oocyte maturation assay. Culture of mouse oocytes in 3DP plates using conventionally treated DSG resin resulted in rapid oocyte degeneration. Oxygen plasma treatment of the surface of printed DSG resin prevented this degeneration, and the majority of the resulting oocytes progressed through meiosis in vitro. However, 57.0% ± 37.2% of the cells cultured in the DSG resin plates exhibited abnormal chromosome morphology compared to 19.4% ± 17.3% of controls cultured in polystyrene. All tested DLT resin conditions, including plasma treatment, resulted in complete and rapid oocyte degeneration. To identify the ovo-toxic component of DLT, we analyzed DLT leachate using mass spectroscopy. We identified Tinuvin 292, a commercial light stabilizer, as a major component of the DLT leachate, which resulted in a dose-dependent disruption of meiotic progression and increase in chromosomal abnormalities with oocyte exposure, showing significant ovo-toxicity in mammals. Severe reproductive toxicity induced by in vitro exposure to these 3D-printed resins highlights potential risks of deploying insufficiently characterized materials for biomedical applications and underscores the need for more rigorous evaluation and designation of biocompatible materials.

Oleamide, a Bioactive Compound, Unwittingly Introduced into the Human Body through Some Plastic Food/Beverages and Medicine Containers

The purpose of the study was to investigate the migration of oleamide, a polymer lubricant, and a bioactive compound, from various plastic, marketed containers for food/beverages and medicines into polymer contact liquid. Methanol, food/medicine simulants or real samples were used to extract polymer leachables and extractables. Migrated oleamide into polymer contact liquids was determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). The concentration of oleamide in the extracts of medicinal and insulin syringes was 7351 ng mL^-1 and 21,984 ng mL^-1, respectively. The leachates of intravenous (i.v.) infusion bottle, medicinal and insulin syringes contained 17 ng mL^-1, 12 ng mL^-1 and 152 ng mL^-1, respectively. Oleamide in the extracts of dummies ranged from 30 to 39 ng mL^-1, while in the leachates of baby bottles, from 12 to 23 ng mL^-1. Leachates of soft drink bottles contained from 6 to 15 ng mL^-1 oleamide, milk bottles from 3 to 9 ng mL^-1, liquid yogurt bottles 17 ng mL^-1 and water bottles from 11 to 18 ng mL^-1. Bottled real matrices of oil and milk contained oleamide in the range from 217 to 293 ng mL^-1. Moreover, the source of migrated oleamide (e.g., containers, caps, other parts) was identified. Oleamide is listed in the current EU regulations without a specific migration limit. Accordingly, these values are considered of no concern, unless future toxicological studies prove the opposite.

Identification of Potential Extractablesand Leachables in Cosmetic Plastic Packagingby Microchambers-Thermal Extraction and Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Most container-content interaction studies are carried out through migration tests on end products or simulants involving generally toxic solvents. This study was conducted with the aim of identifying potential leachables from materials used in cosmetic plastic packaging by using two approaches based on solvent-free extraction, i.e., solid-phase microextraction sampling and pyrolyzer/thermal desorption coupled with gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Volatile and semi-volatile intentionally and non-intentionally added substances were detected in seven packaging samples made of polypropylene, polyethylene, and styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer. Thirty-five compounds related to the polymers industry or packaging industry were identified, among them phthalates, alkanes, styrene, and cyanide derivates including degradation products, impurities, additives, plasticizers, and monomers. All except eight belong to the Cramer class I. These thermodesorption techniques are complementary to those used for migration tests.