Potential Risk of Bisphenol a Migration From Polycarbonate Containers After Heating, Boiling, and Microwaving

Abstract

The migration levels of bisphenol A (BPA) were analyzed in food samples by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) from polycarbonate (PC) bottles subjected to simulated use by heating with microwave, heating in a boiling water bath, or filling them with boiling hot water (100 degrees C). Migration testing performed in PC bottles filled with steamed rice or hot cooked pork, standing at room temperature, or heated in a boiling water bath (100 degrees C) showed that BPA was not detected at the limit of detection (LOD) of 1 microg/L (ppb). In contrast, heating by microwaving to 100 degrees C for 9 min increased BPA migration levels from 6 to 18 ppb and from 5 to 15 ppb for steamed rice or for cooked pork, respectively. In addition, 3 different PC bottles were tested by filling them with boiling hot water (100 degrees C) and leaving them to stand at room temperature for up to 3 h. The mean BPA levels from the bottles increased in a time-dependent manner, with the range of not detected (ND) to 2.5 ppb after 60 min. However, none of the PC bottles released BPA at levels that exceed the recently established specific migration limits (SML) of 600 ppb established by European Union and Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Data suggest that the use of PC plastic bottles in our daily life is considered safe in Korea.

A survey of bisphenol A and other bisphenol analogues in foodstuffs from nine cities in China

“…Leaching of bisphenols from food packaging materials is considered a major source of these compounds in foods (Schecter et al 2010). A large number of studies have reported on the leaching of BPA from packaging materials, including metallic cans and plastics, into foods (MunguiaLopez & Soto-Valdez 2001;Munguia-Lopez et al 2002;Cao & Corriveau 2008;Cao et al 2009;Lim et al 2009;Viñas et al 2010;Cooper et al 2011;Simoneau et al 2011;Oca et al 2013). The food samples analysed in this study were divided into four groups (can, glass, paper and plastic), based on the type of packaging material.…”

“…Earlier studies have shown that BPA can leach from polycarbonate drinking and baby bottles or from metallic-can epoxy coatings into various food products (Cao & Corriveau 2008;Cao et al 2009;Cooper et al 2011;Simoneau et al 2011). Heat processing or acidic conditions can enhance the leaching of BPA from packaging materials or storage containers (Munguia-Lopez & Soto-Valdez 2001;Munguia-Lopez et al 2002;Lim et al 2009). In view of the migration of BPA from packaging materials, the European Commission has established a migration limit of 0.6 mg kg -1 for BPA in plastic materials and articles intended to come in contact with foodstuffs (European Commission 2004).…”

The effect of bisphenol A on some oxidative stress parameters and acetylcholinesterase activity in the heart of male albino rats

“…The global population is subject to repeated exposure to BPA, primarily through packaged food but also through drinking water, dental sealants, dermal exposure, and inhalation of household dusts (Lakind and Naiman 2008) with detectable concentrations of metabolites in the urine of [90 % of the population worldwide (Calafat et al 2005;Ye et al 2008). Heat, repeated washing of polycarbonate products and contact with either acidic or basic compounds accelerate hydrolysis of the ester bond linking BPA molecules in polycarbonate plastics and resins resulting in an increase in the rate of leaching of BPA (Lim et al 2009). In addition, another potential source of human exposure is water used for drinking or bathing.…”

Disposition du bisphénol A chez le cheval : établissement d’une relation allométrique chez les mammifères

“…La contribution de la voie aérienne par inhalation de poussières ou de la voie transcutanée par les tickets de carte bleue ou les tickets de caisse, ne dépasserait pas 1% de l'exposition totale chez l'homme (Loganathan & Kannan, 2011). Le monomère de BPA migre à partir de l'emballage plastique vers la denrée alimentaire spontanément et aléatoirement, mais il existe des conditions favorables à cette libération telles que la chaleur, le vieillissement du polycarbonate, l'exposition aux UV ou encore le nettoyage par des détergents puissants (Lim et al 2009, Nam et al 2010.…”