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Meng W, Sun H, Su G. Plastic packaging-associated chemicals and their hazards - An overview of reviews. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 331:138795. [PMID: 37116723 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Plastic packaging contains residues from substances used during manufacturing, such as solvents, as well as non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), such as impurities, oligomers, or degradation products. By searching peer-reviewed literature, we found that at least 10,259 chemicals were related to plastic packaging materials, which include chemicals used during manufacturing and/or present in final packaging items. We then summarized and discussed their chemical structures, analytical instruments, migration characteristics, and hazard categories where possible. For plastic packaging chemicals, examination of the literature reveals gas and liquid chromatography hyphenated to a variety of accurate mass analyzers based on the use of high-resolution mass spectrometry is usually used for the identification of unknown migrants coming from plastic packaging. Chemical migration from food packaging is affected by several parameters, including the nature and complexity of the food, contact time, temperature of the system, type of packaging contact layer, and properties of the migrants. A review of the literature reveals that information on adverse effects is only available for approximately 1600 substances. Among them, it appears that additives are more toxic than monomers to wildlife and humans. Neurotoxicity accounted for the highest proportion of toxicity of all types of chemicals, while benzenoids, organic acids, and derivatives were the most toxic types of chemicals. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that hydrocarbon derivatives, organic nitrogen compounds, and organometallic compounds have the highest proportions of dermatotoxicity, and organohalogen compounds have the highest proportions of hepatotoxicity. The main contributors to skin sensitization are organic salts. This study provides a basis for comprehensively publicizing information on chemicals in plastics, and could be helpful to better understand their potential risks to the environment and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weikun Meng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China
| | - Hao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China
| | - Guanyong Su
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China.
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Beneventi E, Goldbeck C, Zellmer S, Merkel S, Luch A, Tietz T. Migration of styrene oligomers from food contact materials: in silico prediction of possible genotoxicity. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:3013-3032. [PMID: 35963937 PMCID: PMC9376037 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03350-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Styrene oligomers (SO) are well-known side products formed during styrene polymerization. They consist mainly of dimers (SD) and trimers (ST) that have been shown to be still residual in polystyrene (PS) materials. In this study migration of SO from PS into sunflower oil at temperatures between 5 and 70 °C and contact times between 0.5 h and 10 days was investigated. In addition, the contents of SD and ST in the fatty foodstuffs créme fraiche and coffee cream, which are typically enwrapped in PS, were measured and the amounts detected (of up to 0.123 mg/kg food) were compared to literature data. From this comparison, it became evident, that the levels of SO migrating from PS packaging into real food call for a comprehensive risk assessment. As a first step towards this direction, possible genotoxicity has to be addressed. Due to technical and experimental limitations, however, the few existing in vitro tests available are unsuited to provide a clear picture. In order to reduce uncertainty of these in vitro tests, four different knowledge and statistics-based in silico tools were applied to such SO that are known to migrate into food. Except for SD4 all evaluated SD and ST showed no alert for genotoxicity. For SD4, either the predictions were inconclusive or the substance was assigned as being out of the chemical space (out of domain) of the respective in silico tool. Therefore, the absence of genotoxicity of SD4 requires additional experimental proof. Apart from SD4, in silico studies supported the limited in vitro data that indicated the absence of genotoxicity of SO. In conclusion, the overall migration of all SO together into food of up to 50 µg/kg does not raise any health concerns, given the currently available in silico and in vitro data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Beneventi
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christophe Goldbeck
- Chemical and Veterinary, Analytical Institute Muensterland-Emscher-Lippe (CVUA-MEL), 48147, Münster, Germany
| | - Sebastian Zellmer
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Merkel
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Luch
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Tietz
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany.
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Kato LS, Conte-Junior CA. Safety of Plastic Food Packaging: The Challenges about Non-Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS) Discovery, Identification and Risk Assessment. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:2077. [PMID: 34202594 PMCID: PMC8271870 DOI: 10.3390/polym13132077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Seiko Kato
- Center for Food Analysis (NAL), Technological Development Support Laboratory (LADETEC), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-598, Brazil;
- Laboratory of Advanced Analysis in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, (LAABBM), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Carlos A. Conte-Junior
- Center for Food Analysis (NAL), Technological Development Support Laboratory (LADETEC), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-598, Brazil;
- Laboratory of Advanced Analysis in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, (LAABBM), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Food Science (PPGCAL), Institute of Chemistry (IQ), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Veterinary Hygiene (PPGHV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Vital Brazil Filho, Niterói 24220-000, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Sanitary Surveillance (PPGVS), National Institute of Health Quality Control (INCQS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Chemistry (PGQu), Institute of Chemistry (IQ), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
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Ong HT, Samsudin H, Soto-Valdez H. Migration of endocrine-disrupting chemicals into food from plastic packaging materials: an overview of chemical risk assessment, techniques to monitor migration, and international regulations. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2020; 62:957-979. [DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1830747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hooi-Theng Ong
- Seberang Perai Selatan District Health Office, Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Hayati Samsudin
- Food Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Herlinda Soto-Valdez
- Laboratorio de Envases, Centro de Investigaciόn en Alimentaciόn y Desarrollo, A.C., Hermosillo Sonora, Mexico
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Ubeda S, Aznar M, Rosenmai AK, Vinggaard AM, Nerín C. Migration studies and toxicity evaluation of cyclic polyesters oligomers from food packaging adhesives. Food Chem 2020; 311:125918. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.125918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Rodrigues MO, Abrantes N, Gonçalves FJM, Nogueira H, Marques JC, Gonçalves AMM. Impacts of plastic products used in daily life on the environment and human health: What is known? ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2019; 72:103239. [PMID: 31472322 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2019.103239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are indispensable and persistent materials used in daily life that can be fragmented into micro- or nanoplastics. They are long polymer chains mixed with additives that can be toxic when in contact with distinct species. The toxicity can result from polymer matrix, additives, degradation products and adsorbed contaminants. Notwithstanding, there is still an immense gap of information concerning the individual and mixed impacts of plastics. Hence, in this study, we characterize the most common plastic materials widely used in our daily life by its polymer type and compile the environmental and human health hazards of these polymers including the impacts of monomers, additives, degradation products and adsorbed contaminants based on literature review. In summary, polyvinyl chloride is the most toxic polymer type used daily (monomer and additives); additives are more toxic than monomers to wildlife and humans; and the most toxic additives are benzene, phthalates and lead stabilisers.
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Affiliation(s)
- M O Rodrigues
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - N Abrantes
- Department of Environment and Planning & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - F J M Gonçalves
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - H Nogueira
- Department of Chemistry & CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - J C Marques
- MARE, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A M M Gonçalves
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; MARE, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
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Risk assessment for migration of styrene oligomers into food from polystyrene food containers. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 124:151-167. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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