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Di Mario M, Bernard L, Legros M, Peltier F, Ciano S, Goscinny S, Focant JF, Van Hoeck E. Risks associated with the presence of PFAS in FCM: An investigation of the Belgian market. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 363:142907. [PMID: 39038711 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that have been widely used by various industries, including the food contact material industry. These substances are favoured for their ability to repel oil and resist moisture. However, exposure to PFAS has been linked to several health problems, including effects on the immune system. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), food contact materials (FCM) are likely to contribute to human exposure to PFAS. Therefore, this study investigated the exposure to PFAS from FCM. One hundred and ten FCM made of paper and board (e.g. straws, cups, bowls, boxes etc.), sugar cane or wheat pulp-based FCM, called paper analogues (e.g., cup, bowls, plates, hamburger boxes etc.) were carefully selected on the Belgian market and investigated using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometery. Out of the 25 PFAS targeted, 11 were detected in the samples, mainly perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoDA, PFTrDA) and PFOS. It was found that all of the paper analogue samples contained PFAS, while 43% of the paper and board samples showed the presence of these chemicals. Except for one sample, most detections suggest contamination rather than intentional use. Finally, a risk assessment was conducted, which revealed potential risks for consumers related to a coffee cup made of paper and board and a food tray made of sugar cane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Di Mario
- Organic Contaminants and Additives Service, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Laurent Bernard
- Organic Contaminants and Additives Service, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Matthieu Legros
- Organic Contaminants and Additives Service, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Florian Peltier
- Organic Contaminants and Additives Service, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Salvatore Ciano
- Organic Contaminants and Additives Service, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Séverine Goscinny
- Organic Contaminants and Additives Service, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Jean-François Focant
- Organic and Biological Analytical Chemistry Group, MolSys Research Unit, University of Liège, 11 Allée du Six Août, 4000, Liege, Belgium.
| | - Els Van Hoeck
- Organic Contaminants and Additives Service, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
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Bouma K, Kalsbeek-van Wijk D, Steendam L, Sijm DTHM, de Rijk T, Kause R, Hoogenboom R, van Leeuwen S. Plant-based food contact materials: presence of hazardous substances. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2024; 41:846-855. [PMID: 38814673 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2024.2357350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
As a result of the European Single Use Plastic Directive and as part of the transition to a circular economy, plastic food contact materials (FCMs) are being replaced, often by renewable plant-based materials. This research aimed to identify which chemical substances are present in plant-based materials. In 2022 a total of 28 samples of the latter materials from the Dutch market were analysed for 313 active substances from plant protection products, 47 per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFASs) and 27 heavy metals and other elements. Ten samples contained plant protection products that are not authorised in the EU. Most materials contained PFASs at trace or even high levels. Three out of four investigated sugar cane materials contained 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol at levels up to 1.7 mg/kg. High contents of aluminium, manganese, iron, zinc, and barium were found. Other heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead and mercury were found in relatively low contents. A broad GC-MS screening was performed, which revealed the presence of plant extractable, plasticisers, antioxidants and hydrocarbons, which were not all authorised for FCMs, but may be present as non-intentionally added substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Bouma
- Office for Risk Assessment and Research, The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dita Kalsbeek-van Wijk
- Chemical & Microbiological Product Safety Laboratory, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lodewijk Steendam
- Chemical & Microbiological Product Safety Laboratory, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dick T H M Sijm
- Office for Risk Assessment and Research, The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Theo de Rijk
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ruben Kause
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ron Hoogenboom
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Di Mario M, Bauwens G, Peltier F, Goscinny S, Focant JF, Purcaro G, Van Hoeck E. Investigation of potential migratables from paper and board food contact materials. Front Chem 2023; 11:1322811. [PMID: 38099191 PMCID: PMC10720245 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1322811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the ban on single-use plastic articles in Europe, the food contact material (FCM) industry has been forced to move to more sustainable alternatives. Paper and board FCM are convenient alternatives but must be safe for consumers. This study aims to investigate potential migrations of various substances (e.g., plasticizers, photoinitiators, primary aromatic amines, mineral oil, and bisphenols) from straws and takeaway articles made of paper and board. Twenty straws and fifty-eight takeaway articles were carefully selected and investigated using liquid and gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry or flame ionization detector. Fourteen substances of all the targeted categories were found in takeaway articles, including seven plasticizers, two photoinitiators, one primary aromatic amine, two bisphenols, and the saturated and aromatic fraction of mineral oil (MOSH and MOAH, respectively). In straws, fewer substances were detected, i.e., six substances, including three plasticizers, one photoinitiator, MOSH, and MOAH. At least one of the target substances was detected in 88% of the samples, demonstrating the importance of further evaluation of these materials. Finally, the associated risks were assessed, highlighting the potential risks for several types of articles regarding bisphenol A, one primary aromatic amine (3.3-DMB), and MOSH and MOAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Di Mario
- Organic Contaminants and Additives Service, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gregory Bauwens
- Analytical Chemistry Lab at the AgroBioChem Department, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Florian Peltier
- Organic Contaminants and Additives Service, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Séverine Goscinny
- Organic Contaminants and Additives Service, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-François Focant
- Organic and Biological Analytical Chemistry Group, MolSys Research Unit, University of Liège, Liege, Belgium
| | - Giorgia Purcaro
- Analytical Chemistry Lab at the AgroBioChem Department, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Els Van Hoeck
- Organic Contaminants and Additives Service, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
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