monomer migration

8/10/2019 Monomer Migration

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Migration of Monomers

Issues in Food Packaging (Plastics)

Abirami Nadarajan

Food Packaging Assignment



Plastics are

not inert



I n t e

r a c t i o

n

ccurs between•

Food•Packaging

•Polymer Materials



Migration Transfer of chemical compound fromPlastics Packaging Materials

Food Products



Migration of Low

Molecular Weight

Substances:• Stabilizers

• Plasticizers

• Antioxidants• Monomers

•

Oligomers

Most common food–package

interactions:

FOOD



The “Migration”

Mechanism



Desorption of compounds in food

Sorption of the compounds at the

plastic interface

Desorption of diffused moleculesfrom the polymer surface

Diffusion of chemical compoundthrough polymers



DiffusionMigration

• Migration of

the substances

through the

packaging into

the food.

• Eg: Thin-WalledBottles

Set-OffMigration

• Migration from

the printed to

the unprinted

side die to the

two side

coming intocontact

• Example:

Stacking

Migration due toheating

• Migration of

gaseous or

vaporous

substances into

food during

heating• Eg: Microwave

Ready Meals

Type of Migrations



Migrating ComponentsFew Common



Bisphenol A(BPA)



From plastic bottlesand some cans linedwith polycarbonate –

tiny amountsof BPA are formedwhen polycarbonatebottles are washed

with harshdetergents or bleach(eg, sodiumhypochlorite).



Polystyrene



Styrene , a component of polystyrene

is hazardous to human health.

Long Term exposure of styrene can result in :

• Neurotoxic Effects (fatigue, nervousness,

difficulty sleeping)• Hematological Effects (low platelet and

hemoglobin values),

•Cytogenetic Effects (chromosomal andlymphatic abnormalities),

• Carcinogenic effects



• Styrene is soluble in oil and fat. The higher the fatscontent of the food, the higher the migration of styreneinto the food.

FatContent

• Acids raises the styrene migration rate. Studies showedthat tea with lemon produced the most marked changein the weight of the foam cup.

Acidity

• Studies have found that styrene tends to migrate morequickly when foods or drinks are hot. However, meat orcheese bought from the supermarket on a clear-plastic-wrapped polystyrene tray is also readily picking upstyrene from the foam container.

Heat

Factors Affecting Styrene Migration



• Styrene is soluble in ethanol, commonly found in alcoholicbeverages. For instance, red wine will instantly dissolvestyrene. A 1985 Cuban study noted migration of styrenefrom low and high-density polyethylene into milk, yogurtand alcohol solutions. This means that ingestion can takeplace by using polystyrene cups to drink beer, wine andmixed alcoholic drinks.

Presenceof Ethanol

• Most interesting is the degradation of food that containsvitamin A (betacarotene). In packaged foods with theaddition of heat (such as microwave temperatures), vitaminA will decompose and produce m-xylene, toluene, and 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene. Toluene will aggressively dissolvepolystyrene. This renders polystyrene as an unsuitablepackage for containing or microwaving products thatcontain vitamin A.

Presence ofVitamin A

Factors Affecting Styrene Migration



Benzene is another component of

polystyrene foam and it’s

CARCINOGENIC!



Polyvinylchloride (PVC)



Migrating componentin PVC:

Plasticizers

• Diethylhexyl adipate(DEHA)

• Di(2-ethylhexyl)

phthalate (DEHP)

Monomers

• Vinyl Chloride



DEHA: WHERE & HOW MUCH IS SAFE?

• Commercial cling films are predominantly PVC, used for over-wrap ofsupermarket trays, filled rolls at delicatessens etc.

WHERE:

• Experts from the European Union have recommended a safe level(Tolerable Daily Intake) of DEHA intake to be up to 21 mg/day for a70 kg adult, without causing harm. Their dietary exposure isestimated to be up to 8.2 mg/day, below the safety limit.

SAFE LIMITS

• DEHA can cause liver tumors in mice, and other studies showed thatDEHA migrates from plastic wrap into food—particularly high fatfoods such as cheese

HEALTH CONCERNS



Effect of DEHP on Human Health

•

The acute toxicity of DEHP is low in animal models: 30 g/kgin rats (oral) and 24 g/kg in rabbits (dermal). Concernsinstead focus on its potential as an endocrine disruptor.

Toxicity

• Approximately 25% of US women have phthalate levelssimilar to those in the study.However, the study author

cautioned that replication of these results are needed tostrengthen any links between phthalates and adversehealth outcomes.

Development

• A study on CDC data, "revealed that American men withabdominal obesity or insulin resistance (a precursorto diabetes) were more likely to have high levels of [DEHP

and DBP] metabolites in their urine than men withoutthose problems.Obesity

• A clinically relevant dose and duration of exposure to DEHPhas been shown to have a significant impact on thebehavior of cardiac cells in culture.

Cardiotoxicity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acute_toxicity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocrine_disruptor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centers_for_Disease_Control_and_Prevention

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin_resistance

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dibutyl_phthalate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiac

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiac

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dibutyl_phthalate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin_resistance

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centers_for_Disease_Control_and_Prevention

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocrine_disruptor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acute_toxicity



Vinyl Chloride Monomer

• PVC materials can be used for many applications,forexample for the production of various industrialproducts (floorings or plastic parts of food processingmachines), and also for safety tools (gloves),transport materials as well as toys.

WHERE

• Migration of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) into foodwhich can cause a significant food contamination.

• Maximal residual amount allowed of VCM at 1 mg/kgof the PVC material.

Problems

• An occupational exposure to VCM is associated withan increased incidence of angiosarcoma of the liverand other malignant tumours, circulatorydisturbance, and impaired liver function

HealthImpact



Migrating ComponentsSummary, Applications and Health Effects of some



Plastic Common Uses Adverse Health Effects

Polyvinylchloride ( 3PVC)

MC: VCM

Food packaging, plastic wrap, containers

for toiletries, cosmetics, crib bumpers,

floor tiles, pacifiers, shower curtains,

toys, water pipes, garden hoses, auto

upholstery, inflatable swimming pools

Can cause cancer, birth defects,

genetic changes, chronic bronchitis,

ulcers, skin diseases, deafness,

vision failure, indigestion, and liver

dysfunction

Plasticizers: Phthalates

MC: DEHP, DINP

Softened vinyl products manufactured

with phthalates include vinyl clothing,

emulsion paint, footwear, printing inks,

non-mouthing toys and children’sproducts, product packaging and food

wrap, vinyl flooring, blood bags and

tubing, IV containers and components,

surgical gloves, breathing tubes, general

purpose labware, inhalation masks, many

other medical devices

Endocrine disruption, linked to

asthma, developmental and

reproductive effects. Medical waste

with PVC and phthalates is

regularly incinerated causing publichealth effects from the release of

dioxins and mercury, including

cancer, birth defects, hormonal

changes, declining sperm counts,

infertility, endometriosis, and

immune system impairment.

Polycarbonate ( 7)

MC: Bisphenol A Water bottles

Scientists have linked very low

doses of bisphenol A exposure to

cancers, impaired immune

function, early onset of puberty,

obesity, diabetes,

and hyperactivity, among otherproblems (Environment California)




PolystyreneMC: Styrene Monomers,

Benzene

Many food containers for meats, fish,cheeses, yogurt, foam and clear

clamshell containers, foam and rigid

plates, clear bakery containers,packaging "peanuts", foam packaging,audio cassette housings, CD cases,

disposable cutlery, building insulation,flotation devices, ice buckets, wall tile,paints, serving trays, throw-away hot

drink cups, toys

Can irritate eyes, nose and throat

and can cause dizziness andunconsciousness. Migrates into foodand stores in body fat. Elevated

rates of lymphatic andhematopoietic cancers for workers.

Polyethelyne (#1 PET)MC: Monomers

Water and soda bottles, carpet fiber,chewing gum, coffee stirrers, drinkingglasses, food containers and wrappers,

heat-sealed plastic packaging,kitchenware, plastic bags, squeeze

bottles, toys

Suspected human carcinogen

PolyesterMC: Benzene

Bedding, clothing, disposable diapers,food packaging, tampons, upholstery

Can cause eye and respiratory-tract irritation and acute skin

rashes




LDPE

MC: Naphthalene,

Antioxidants such as BHT &

Irganox 1010

Low-density polyethylene isrelatively transparent and used to

make films of various sorts

(including domestic/household clingfilm), and bread bags, freezer bags,

flexible lids and squeezable foodbottles, milk bottles.

Naphthalene from environmentcould potentially be absorbed byLDPE bottles which milks are

contained. Naphthalene aregenerally Carcinogenic.Antioxidants migrate into the food

and can cause harm to humanhealth beyond its safety level.

Note: MC = Migrating Components



How to avoid these?



Be Plastic Smart!Know your plastics!



Ask yourself … Is it safe?



Use the right plastic !



Thank you!By: Abirami Nadarajan (113559)

monomer migration

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