Human Risk Assessment of Endocrine‐Disrupting Chemicals Derived from Plastic Food Containers

Abstract

In the manufacture of plastic containers, various materials such as additives (for example, plasticizers, stabilizers, antioxidants), polymers (for example, polystyrene [PS] for PC) presented in polymers, as additives (for example, phthalates for PVC) used in polymer manufacturing, and/or as contaminants from the polymers depending on physicochemical conditions such as temperature, UV light, pH, microwave, and mechanical stress. Some phthalates (for example, DEHP, DBP), styrene, or bisphenol have been suspected to have endocrine disrupting effects, but human toxicological effects of these compounds are very controversial. For these reasons, a comprehensive review on toxicological and risk assessment studies for these chemicals (phthalates, BPA, and styrene) was carried out to evaluate their safety in humans. On the basis of exposure estimates for the these chemicals and reference doses (RfDs), we calculated hazard index (HI = chronic daily intake/tolerable daily intake [TDI] or RfD). A HI of less than 1 suggests an exposure lower than the safety limit of the chemicals. We showed that the HI values of these chemicals were lower then 1, but there are one or several exceptions for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP; for example, exposure via infant formula, packaged lunch, total exposure), where estimated their HI values are higher than 1, which suggests an exposure higher than the safety limits of the chemicals. However, the HI of BPA was 0.001-0.26 (3.57-1000 times lower than its safety limit), and the HI for styrene was 0.276 (3.62 times lower than its safety limit). In this article, we focused on recent issues concerning the endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) derived from plastic food containers or packaging. This review suggests that the use of plastic food containers might not exceed human safe limits n general with respect to endocrine disruptors aside from the exceptions of the phthalates mentioned earlier.

Airborne particulate endocrine disrupting compounds in China: Compositions, size distributions and seasonal variations of phthalate esters and bisphenol A

“…Phthalate esters are mainly used as plasticizers for Atmospheric Research 154 (2015) [138][139][140][141][142][143][144][145] improving the flexibility and workability of polymeric materials. Epidemiological, clinical, and experimental data have demonstrated that phthalates have a significant effect on male reproductive disorders, such as infertility, reduced sperm motility, and decreased sperm (Bang et al, 2012). The other chemical, bisphenol A, was first synthesized in 1891 (Dianin, 1891) and has been widely used since the 1950s in epoxy resins, polycarbonates, and other polymeric materials.…”

Controlled biodegradation of polymers using nanoparticles and its application

“…Approximately 140 million tons of different kinds of petroleum-derived synthetic plastics are produced every year and considerable amount of these plastics are introduced in the environment as industrial waste [3]. Unfortunately, it influences the endocrine system, impairs reproduction, or causes cancer [7]. However, these conventional plastics are resistant to microbial attack and end up in landfill burial sites for thousands of years causing shortage of landfill space and negative impact on wildlife through ingestion and entrapment [5,6].…”

Simultaneous determination of antioxidants and ultraviolet stabilizers in polypropylene food packaging and food simulants by high-performance liquid chromatography

“…These compounds enhance process ability and improve the polymer properties both during processing and under the conditions of use. As a result of their various applications, there have been some concerns about the migration of additives when the polymer packaging is in contact with food [1,2]. The release of additives, initially present in the packaging, into product can cause undesirable flavors in the food or even promote toxicity and damage humans.…”