Repeated migration of additives from a polymeric article in food simulants

Waldman

et al. 2020

Environ. Sci. Technol.

158

With an increasing interest in the effects of microplastic in the soil environment, there is a need to thoroughly evaluate potential adverse effects of these particles as a function of their characteristics (size, shape, and composition). In addition, extractable chemical additives from microplastic have been identified as an important toxicity pathway in the aquatic environment. However, we currently know little about effects of such additives in the soil environment. In this study on nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans), we adopted an ecotoxicological approach to assess the potential effects of thirteen different microplastics with different characteristics and extractable additives. We found that toxic effects appear to increase in the order of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film < polypropylene (PP) fragments < high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fragments ≈ polystyrene (PS) fragments < polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fragments ≈ polyacrylicnitrile (PAN) fibers. Acute toxicity was mainly attributed to the extractable additives: when the additives were extracted, the toxic effects of each microplastic disappeared in the acute soil toxicity test. The harmful effects of LDPE film and PAN fibers increased when the microplastics were maintained in soil for a longterm period with frequent wet-dry cycles. We here provide clear evidence that microplastic toxicity in the soil is highly related to particle characteristics and extractable additives. Our results suggest that future experiments consider extractable additives as a key explanatory variable.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Different Microplastics on Nematodes in the Soil Environment: Tracking the Extractable Additives Using an Ecotoxicological Approach

Waldman

et al. 2020

Environ. Sci. Technol.

158

“…The experimental work published by Mercea et al [ 8 ] has been used as example and as point of departure for investigations into the relevance of intermittent use scenarios is given in Figure 12 for Metilox (3-(3,5-Di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid methylester, CAS 6386-38-5) and Irganox 1076 (3-(3,5-Di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid octylester, CAS 2082-79-3). The orange line in Figure 12 reproduces experimental results for daily use (=intermittent use), the blue line represents no empty storage (=continuous use), and the green line represents a use once per week (=occasional use).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the last two decades, significant advances have been made in migration modelling through the consideration of the underlying physical-chemical processes that occur under single and repeated-use conditions and offers opportunities for more realistic migration and exposure assessments when compared to conventional testing protocols [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. These advances include the prediction of diffusion coefficients D P in the polymers that are used for food contact materials and articles [ 2 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As mentioned above, due to the lack of knowledge of the real migration behavior of potential migrants in repeated-use articles or in food packaging materials in general, highly over-estimated modelling parameters are applied. Regarding repeated-use articles, each cycle will exaggerate any differences between real parameters and any calculated parameters that are used, leading to the over-estimation of migration at early time points, and consequently, to under-estimation at later time points [ 8 ]. In the case of repeated-use articles, it is therefore necessary to apply modelling parameters that accurately describe migration into food.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Impact of Partitioning in Short-Term Food Contact Applications Focused on Polymers in Support of Migration Modelling and Exposure Risk Assessment

Brandsch¹,

Pemberton

Schuster³

et al. 2021

Molecules

Food contact materials (FCMs) can transfer chemicals arising from their manufacture to food before consumption. Regulatory frameworks ensure consumer safety by prescribing methods for the assessment of FCMs that rely on migration testing either into real-life foods or food simulants. Standard migration testing conditions for single-use FCMs are justifiably conservative, employing recognized worst-case contact times and temperatures. For repeated-use FCMs, the third of three consecutive tests using worst-case conditions is taken as a surrogate of the much shorter contact period that often occurs over the service life of these items. Food contact regulations allow for the use of migration modelling for the chemicals in the FCM and for the partitioning that occurs between the FCM and food/simulant during prolonged contact, under which steady-state conditions are favored. This study demonstrates that the steady-state is rarely reached under repeated-use conditions and that partitioning plays a minor role that results in migration essentially being diffusion controlled. Domains of use have been identified within which partitioning does not play a significant role, allowing modelling based upon diffusion parameters to be used. These findings have the potential to advance the modelling of migration from repeated-use articles for the benefit of regulatory guidance and compliance practices.

“…Essa transferência pode ser tão pequena que não se observará resposta biológica nos organismos expostos a curto prazo. Porém, mesmo em níveis muito baixos de concentração, alguns componentes migrantes afetam a saúde humana a longo prazo através de manifestações tóxicas e de difícil detecção (IAL, 2008;Mercea et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Viabilidade de aplicação de resina no revestimento de embalagem celulósica para alimentos pelo ensaio de migração

Albiero

Freiberger

Vanin

2021

jCEC

A embalagem representa um papel essencial na conservação de alimentos, pode ser constituída de diversos materiais que flexibilizam sua aplicação e não deve possuir elementos migrantes que alterem a qualidade do produto. Diante disso, foi avaliado o potencial de migração e biodegradação de resina aplicada à embalagem celulósica destinada ao acondicionamento de bebidas refrigeradas, alternativa biodegradável à embalagem de poliestireno empregada usualmente. A migração foi mensurada por meio da quantificação gravimétrica do resíduo após contato com simulantes, água, ácido acético 3% (v/v), etanol 10% (v/v), e n-heptano. A biodegradação foi avaliada mediante verificação da perda de massa. A embalagem mostrou-se segura em contato com alimentos gordurosos em todos os ensaios, com produtos alcóolicos a 20°C até 48h, e 40°C por 2h e com água a 40°C até 24h e 65°C por 2h. O revestimento interferiu significativamente (p>0,05) na perda de massa, sendo que no 107º dia a embalagem revestida apresentou 38% de massa residual e a não-revestida 31%.