Simultaneous analysis and exposure assessment of migrated bisphenol analogues, phenol, and p-tert-butylphenol from food contact materials

Non-targeted identification and risk assessment of unknown substances in disposable plastic tableware by GC-Orbitrap HRMS

Disposable plastic tableware was widely used and it was particularly important to identify potential hazardous substances in it and evaluate the risk to humans health. In this study, 85 substances were identified in 60 samples (22 bowls, 20 sporks, and 18 straws) by methanol extraction and non-targeted analysis using GC-Orbitrap HRMS. Subsequently, 14 high-risk substances were further screened and their migration in the samples was measured in three food simulants. Finally, based on the proposed safety limit assessment scheme for EU- authorized and unauthorized substances, the risk assessment of exposure to high-risk substances in disposable plastic tableware was performed for three age groups. The results showed that the dibutyl phthalate and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in some samples exceeded the safety limit value. Overall, the risk of bowls was lower than spock and straws, and the potential exposure risk for young children was higher than that of adults and older children.

A molecularly imprinted polymer monolithic column with dual template and bifunctional monomers for selective extraction and simultaneous determination of eight phenolics from polycarbonate cups

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) monolithic column was prepared in situ in a pipette tip using phenol and bisphenol A as dual templates, 4-vinyl pyridine and β-cyclodextrin as bifunctional monomers. It was used for the selective and simultaneous solid phase extraction of eight phenolics, including phenol, m-cresol, p-tert-butylphenol, bisphenol A, bisphenol B, bisphenol E, bisphenol Z, and bisphenol AP. The MIP monolithic column was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and nitrogen adsorption experiment. The results of selective adsorption experiments showed that the MIP monolithic column can selective recognize the phenolics and have excellent adsorption property. The imprinting factor for bisphenol A can be as high as 4.31, and the maximum adsorption capacity for bisphenol Z can reach 201.66 mg g^-1. Under the optimal extraction conditions, a selective and simultaneous extraction and determination method for eight phenolics was established based on the MIP monolithic column and high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The linear ranges (LRs) of the eight phenolics were 0.5-200 μg L^-1, the limits of quantification (LOQs) and detection (LODs) were 0.5-2.0 μg L^-1 and 0.15-0.67 μg L^-1. The method was applied to detect the migration quantity of the eight phenolics from polycarbonate cups and had satisfactory recovery. The method has the advantages of simple synthesis, short extraction time, as well as good repeatability and reproducibility, which provides a sensitive and reliable strategy for extracting and detecting phenolics from food contact material.

Assessing Knowledge and Use Practices of Plastic Food Packaging among Young Adults in South Africa: Concerns about Chemicals and Health

Chemicals associated with health problems can migrate from packaging into food matrices. Therefore, consumers need to be aware of health concerns associated with incorrectly used plastic food packaging. However, little is known about consumers’ knowledge and their plastics usage practices. This study assessed this knowledge and practices among young South African adult consumers. Our online survey of 293 participants focused on their objective (actual) and subjective (self-perceived) knowledge about plastic food packaging care and safety, their utilization practices, and their sources of information about safe use of plastics. Participants’ utilization practices showed broad misuse. Their subjective knowledge about the correct use of plastic packaging was in most respects contradicted by their limited objective knowledge. We found that plastic identification codes on packaging largely failed in their informative purpose; instead, participants mainly consulted informal information sources about plastics. The knowledge gaps, unsafe plastic use practices, and information source deficiencies identified here can help to guide future improvements. We call for consumer education, across all demographics, about plastic utilization practices and associated health concerns about plastic chemicals. We also highlight the need for the government, food and plastics industries to join forces in ensuring that consumers are informed about safe plastic packaging usage.

Investigation of the migration of bisphenols from baby bottles and sippy cups

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used as a monomer in a number of consumer products, including baby bottles and sippy cups. Some jurisdictions around the world (including Canada) have regulated the production, advertising or selling polycarbonate baby bottles with BPA. Following the ban, makers have opted for alternative materials to BPA [named BPA analogues, BPAAs], which may not be as safe as promoted. The objective of this project was to conduct a migration study in baby bottles and sippy cups, and analyze 16 BPAAs, as a follow-up on the BPA migration study conducted by Health Canada in 2009. Baby bottles (20 brands) and sippy cups (13 brands) were tested for migration of BPAAs. The most commonly detected analytes in baby bottles were BPS, BPA, BPF, BPAF, BPM and BPTMC with detection frequency (DF) of more than 50%. In sippy cups, only BPA, BPS and BPF were frequently detected. The mean concentration of BPA in baby bottle leachate was 31.5 ng/L in water simulant whereas a 1.4-fold increase was seen in 50% EtOH simulant. Similarly, a 1.4-fold increase was seen in the mean concentration of BPS in 50% EtOH simulant, when compared to the mean concentration of 2.33 ng/L in water simulant. Increasing median concentration was observed for BPA as the ethanol content of the simulant increased (water<10% EtOH<50% EtOH). The concentration of BPS and BPA was higher in sippy cups than that in their matched brand of baby bottles with the 50% EtOH simulant. Although most of the target analytes were detected in baby bottles, their concentrations were low and no migration was observed for any of the analytes with increasing incubation time. Therefore, it is likely that known BPA analogues are not present in the polymers used in the manufacture of most of the baby bottle brands sold in Canada.

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Sensitive and selective UPLC-MS/MS method was developed for simultaneous determination of 16 bisphenols.

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Migration study was conducted on baby bottles and sippy cups purchased on Canadian market.

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BPA and BPS were detected in all baby bottles and sippy cups.

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The study suggests that repeated use of the baby bottles will not increase the leaching of BPA analogues.

LC-MS/MS analysis of BADGE, NOGEs, and their derivatives migrated from food and beverage metal cans

A simple and novel method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated to determine the levels of 10 compounds (bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), novolac-glycidyl ethers (NOGEs), and their related compounds) migrated from food and beverage cans into food simulants. Method validation showed acceptable linearity, precision, and accuracy. The detection limits ranged from 0.28 to 14.8 μg L^-1, and the quantification limits ranged from 0.94 to 49.3 μg L^-1. Water, 4% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, and n-heptane were employed as food simulants for the migration tests, and the developed LC-MS/MS method was applied to 104 epoxy-coated beverage and food metal cans. Only BADGE∙2H₂O and BADGE were detected; the levels were below the specific migration limit. Based on the obtained migration results, the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of BADGE∙2H₂O and BADGE were calculated. Exposure assessments were conducted to compare the EDI with the tolerable daily intake (TDI), with a relatively low percentage of the TDI being reported. NOGE and its related compounds were not detected in the monitored cans. Long-term storage tests were also conducted at 60°C over 30 days. Only BADGE∙2H₂O was detected in all food simulants, except for n-heptane, and the maximum amount detected was 114.6 μg L^-1 in 50% ethanol.

HS-GC/MS method development and exposure assessment of volatile organic compounds from food packaging into food simulants

A simultaneous headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS) method was developed and validated to determine the migration of 12 volatile organic compounds (methanol, acetone, methylethylketone, ethylacetate, isopropylalcohol, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, cumene, propylbenzene, and styrene) from food contact materials into food simulants (water, 4% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, and n-heptane). The limits of detection and quantification were 0.007-0.201 mg L^-1 and 0.023-0.668 mg L^-1, respectively. The method was applied to 205 samples of paper/paperboard, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The estimated daily intake (EDI) was calculated using the migration results. Exposure assessments were carried out to compare the EDI to the tolerable daily intake (TDI); the results indicated that the EDI of styrene represented only a small percentage (8.0%) of the TDI. This analytical method will be a useful tool to examine levels of various volatile compounds migrating from food packaging to food simulants using HS-GC/MS method.