Perfluorochemicals: Potential sources of and migration from food packaging

Abstract

Perfluorochemicals are widely used in the manufacturing and processing of a vast array of consumer goods, including electrical wiring, clothing, household and automotive products. Furthermore, relatively small quantities of perfluorochemicals are also used in the manufacturing of food-contact substances that represent potential sources of oral exposure to these chemicals. The most recognizable products to consumers are the uses of perfluorochemicals in non-stick coatings (polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)) for cookware and also their use in paper coatings for oil and moisture resistance. Recent epidemiology studies have demonstrated the presence of two particular perfluorochemicals, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in human serum at very low part per billion levels. These perfluorochemicals are biopersistent and are the subject of numerous studies investigating the many possible sources of human exposure. Among the various uses of these two chemicals, PFOS is a residual impurity in some paper coatings used for food contact and PFOA is a processing aid in the manufacture of PTFE used for many purposes including non-stick cookware. Little information is available on the types of perfluorochemicals that have the potential to migrate from perfluoro coatings into food. One obstacle to studying migration is the difficulty in measuring perfluorochemicals by routine conventional analytical techniques such as GC/MS or LC-UV. Many perfluorochemicals used in food-contact substances are not detectable by these conventional methods. As liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) develops into a routine analytical technique, potential migrants from perfluoro coatings can be more easily characterized. In this paper, data will be presented on the types of perfluoro chemicals that are used in food packaging and cookware. Additionally, research will be presented on the migration or potential for migration of these chemicals into foods or food simulating liquids. Results from migration tests show mg kg À1 amounts of perfluoro paper additives/coatings transfer to food oil. Analysis of PTFE cookware shows residual amounts of PFOA in the low mg kg À1 range. PFOA is present in microwave popcorn bag paper at amounts as high as 300 mg kg À1.

Low-Surface Energy Surfactants with Branched Hydrocarbon Architectures

“…[2][3][4][5] Consequently, development and optimization of LSEMs has attracted much attention, and a wide variety of useful LSEMs can be obtained by fluorinating surfaces to yield a surface energies of γ ~15 mN m -1 for -CF3 groups and γ ~25 mN m -1 for -CF2. [6][7][8] Unfortunately, this has important environmental consequences because of the persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of Fluorocarbons (FCs) 9,10 .…”

C6-Perfluorinated Compounds: The New Greaseproofing Agents in Food Packaging

“…However, unlike the longchain PFCs, the C6-PFCs do not appear to be used in the manufacture of non-stick cookware. It should also be noted that long-chain PFCs usually comprise a mixture of fluorotelomers varying in perfluorinated carbon length from C6 to C12 [2]; additionally, these mixed-chain-length telomers can be transformed in mammals [7] and in the environment [8,9] to PFHxA and to perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA). As such, it should be emphasized that levels of PFHxA measured in various media, including human bodily fluids and tissues, could originate from a variety of sources, including C6-and long-chain PFCs and FTOHs, and the presence of PFHxA in these media can only rarely be directly extrapolated to direct exposure to PFHxA itself.…”

“…Residual PFCAs and FTOHs derived from the manufacture of perfluorinated polymeric FCSs are present in these FCSs, and migration of these compounds into food has been demonstrated to occur as a result of the regulated uses of those FCSs [2]. As such, the FDA has historically considered the safety of PFCAs and FTOHs in the regulation of those FCSs at the dietary exposures expected to result from their migration into food.…”

Barrier Properties of Polylactic Acid in Cellulose Based Packages Using Montmorillonite as Filler

“…Commonly, food packaging industry has employed fluorocarbon chemical treatment to inhibit the wetting of cellulose fibers by reducing the surface energy of the sheet [1]. Perfluoro compounds have been recognized as materials with unique properties of stability and resistance to degradation [2]. In addition, fluorinated hydrocarbon has been used to provide grease resistance for paperboard products [3].…”

“…In addition, fluorinated hydrocarbon has been used to provide grease resistance for paperboard products [3]. Begley et al [2] determinated the perflourochemicals presented in food packaging and cookware as well as the migration potential of these compounds into foods oil.…”