Migration of Nonylphenol from Plastic Containers to Water and a Milk Surrogate

Abstract

Nonylphenol (NP) is used as an antioxidant and plasticizer in some plastic products. After the discovery of its endocrine-disrupting potential, concern over human exposure to this chemical has increased. Recently, a group in Germany estimated the average daily intake of NP from food (7.5 microg/day), excluding water. In the present study, NP, octylphenol (OP), and their respective ethoxylates (1-5) were measured in spring water bottled in three different types of plastic (HDPE, PET, and PVC). NP was present in water from HDPE and PVC containers, at 180 and 300 ng/L respectively, which represent 4.8% and 8% of the value calculated by the German group assuming a consumption of 2 L of water per day. OP was found in water from HDPE extracts in lower amounts, 12 ng/L, and neither the NP- nor the OP-ethoxylates were detected in any of the samples. Attempts to measure these compounds in tap water were unsuccessful, probably because reaction with residual chlorine results in the formation of chlorinated byproducts. Migration of NP from HDPE containers to a milk surrogate was also evaluated; results indicate that the amounts of NP leaching into milk might be similar to those in bottled water.

4-Nonylphenol, bisphenol-A and triclosan levels in human urine of children and students in China, and the effects of drinking these bottled materials on the levels

“…In the last decade, studies have shown that humans are exposed to 4-NP, BPA and TCS through various routes: air, soil, sediment, water, food, drink and even skin contact (Benotti et al, 2009;Guenther et al, 2002;Kang et al, 2006;Loyo-Rosales et al, 2004). Meanwhile, 4-NP, BPA and TCS have already been detected in human urine, blood and breast milk of some countries (Ademollo et al, 2008;Allmyr et al, 2006Allmyr et al, , 2008Calafat et al, 2008a,b;Inoue et al, 2000Inoue et al, , 2003Vandenberg et al, 2007); and BPA was even found in amniotic fluid, follicular fluid, placental tissue, semen, umbilical cord blood, fetal serum and adipose tissues (Vandenberg et al, 2007;Vandenberg et al, 2010).…”

Gender-specific induction of cytochrome P450s in nonylphenol-treated FVB/NJ mice

“…Nonylphenol (NP) is a degradation product of the nonylphenol ethoxylates, which constitute approximately 80% of the alkylphenol ethoxylates (Talmage, 1994;Knepper and Berna, 2003). Research has identified NP as the most critical metabolite of APEs because of its resistance to biodegradation, its ability to bioaccumulate, its toxicity, and its presence/abundance in some food products, cosmetics, and drinking water (Clark et al, 1992;Ahel et al, 1994;Tyler et al, 1998;Fernandes et al, 2003;Loyo-Rosales et al, 2004). Over 1 billion pounds of nonylphenol ethoxylates are produced annually, making them one of the most commonly found toxicants in the United States and Europe (Talmage, 1994).…”

Identification of a new source of interference leached from polypropylene tubes in mass-selective analysis

“…However, the presence of low-to mid-range molecular weight ions in LC-MS can lead to interference with the analyte(s) of interest [1][2][3][4]. We report the discovery of a new source of interference that was leached from polypropylene tubes by organic solvents.…”