Analysis of phthalates in food products and packaging materials sold on the Belgian market

Study on the leaching of phthalates from polyethylene terephthalate bottles into mineral water

“…Among phthalate esters occurring in soft drinks, DEHP is the most frequent and it can be determined in the highest concentration (Amiridou and Voutsa, 2011;Biscardi et al, 2003;Bošnir, et al, 2007;Schmid et al, 2008). DBP (Bošnir et al, 2007;Cao, 2008, Criado et al, 2005Montuori et al, 2008), DiBP (Cao, 2008;Fierens et al, 2012;Montuori et al, 2008) and DEP (Bošnir et al, 2007;Cao, 2008;Montuori et al, 2008) The phthalate concentration of PET bottled mineral water may vary with pH (Montuori et al, 2008); storage time (Biscardi et al, 2003;Criado et al, 2005), storage temperature (30 ºC -60 ºC) (Casajuana and Lacorte, 2003;Schmid et al, 2008) and exposure to sunlight (Leivadara et al, 2008;Schmid et al, 2008). Photolysis may be a significant pathway for abiotic degradation of phthalates in waters (Peterson, 2003).…”

“…For this purpose, the most widespread used analytical technique is gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (Biscardi et al, 2003;Bošnir et al, 2007;Cao, 2008;Fierens et al, 2012) characterized by excellent detection limits in the low pg mL -1 concentration range. A sample preparation step allowing pre-concentration of the investigated phthalate esters is required (Psillakis and Kalogerakis, 2003) (Amiridou and Voutsa, 2011;Ferretti et al, 2007 andFierens et al, 2011), dichloromethane and pentane (Leivadara et al, 2008), hexane (Holadova and Hajslova, 1995;Schmid et al, 2008), ethyl acetate (Criado et al, 2005) or acetone (Biscardi et al, 2003) seems to be one the best choices as recovery values ranged between 70-100% for the most frequently occurring phthalate esters.…”

Environmental contamination with phthalates and its impact on living organisms

“…Fierens et al [8] identified phthalates in all analyzed food products: fruit and vegetables, milk and dairy products, cereals and cereal products, meat and meat products, fish and fish products, fats and oils. DEHP was the most abundant phthalate, which suggests that humans are at high risk of exposure to this compound.…”

“…Mechanical milking and consumption of phthalate-containing feeds by dairy cattle are the most probable source of this contamination. Research on DMP, DEP, DIBP, DnBP, BBP, DEHP, DCHP and DNOP in 400 food products, completed in Belgium, suggests that DEHP, followed by DnBP and BBP, were the most frequently detected phthalates, although DEHP achieved the highest concentration [8].…”

“…Those popular plasticizers are added to polyvinyl chloride to improve its flexibility and hardness. Phthalates are used in nearly every industry, and they can be found in construction materials, printing inks, varnish, latex paint, cosmetics, clothing, food packaging, pharmaceuticals, medical products such as intravenous cannulas, and insecticides [7,8].…”