sues in Food Packaging (Plastics)

Migration of
Monomers

Abirami Nadarajan
Food Packaging Assignment

Plastics are

not

Interaction

ccurs between
Food
Packaging
Polymer
Materials

Major Concern:

MIGRATION

Migratio
n

Transfer of chemical compound

from

Plastics Packaging
Materials

Most common foodpackage

interactions:
Migration of Low
Molecular
Weight
Substances:

Stabilizers
Plasticizers
Antioxidants
Monomers
Oligomers

FOO
D

The Migration
Mechanism

Type of Migrations
Diffusion Migration

Migrating
Components

Few Common

Bisphenol A
(BPA)

From plastic bottles

and some cans
lined with
polycarbonate
tiny amounts
ofBPAare formed
when
polycarbonate
bottles are washed
with harsh
detergents or
bleach (eg, sodium
hypochlorite).

Polystyren
e

Styrene, a component of
polystyrene is hazardous to
human
health.
Long Term
exposure of styrene can

result in :
Neurotoxic Effects (fatigue,
nervousness, difficulty sleeping)
Hematological Effects (low platelet
and hemoglobin values),
Cytogenetic Effects (chromosomal
and lymphatic abnormalities),
Carcinogenic effects

Factors Affecting Styrene

Migration
Fat Content

Factors Affecting Styrene

Migration
Presence of Ethanol

Benzene is another
component of polystyrene
foam and its

CARCINOGENIC!

Polyvinyl
chloride (PVC)

Migrating
component
in PVC:
Plasticizers
Diethylhexyl
adipate (DEHA)
Di(2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate (DEHP)

Monomers
Vinyl
Chloride

DEHA: WHERE & HOW MUCH IS SAFE?

WHERE:

Effect of DEHP on Human Health

Toxicity

Vinyl Chloride Monomer

WHERE

Migrating
Components

ummary, Applications and Health Effects of some

Plastic
Polyvinylchloride
(#3PVC)
MC: VCM

Plasticizers:
Phthalates
MC: DEHP, DINP

Polycarbonate (#7)
MC: Bisphenol A

Common Uses

Adverse Health
Effects

Food packaging, plastic wrap,

containers for toiletries, cosmetics,
crib bumpers, floor tiles, pacifiers,
shower curtains, toys, water pipes,
garden hoses, auto upholstery,
inflatable swimming pools

Can cause cancer, birth defects,

genetic changes, chronic
bronchitis, ulcers, skin diseases,
deafness, vision failure,
indigestion, and liver dysfunction

Softened vinyl products manufactured

with phthalates include vinyl clothing,
emulsion paint, footwear, printing
inks, non-mouthing toys and childrens
products, product packaging and food
wrap, vinyl flooring, blood bags and
tubing, IV containers and components,
surgical gloves, breathing tubes,
general purpose labware, inhalation
masks, many other medical devices

Water bottles

Endocrine disruption, linked to

asthma, developmental and
reproductive effects. Medical
waste with PVC and phthalates is
regularly incinerated causing
public health effects from the
release of dioxins and mercury,
including cancer, birth defects,
hormonal changes, declining
sperm counts, infertility,
endometriosis, and immune
system impairment.
Scientists have linked very low
doses of bisphenol A exposure to
cancers, impaired immune
function, early onset of puberty,
obesity, diabetes, and
hyperactivity, among other
problems (Environment
California)

Plastic

Polystyrene
MC: Styrene Monomers,
Benzene

Common Uses

Adverse Health
Effects

Many food containers for meats,

fish, cheeses, yogurt, foam and clear
clamshell containers, foam and rigid Can irritate eyes, nose and throat
plates, clear bakery containers,
and can cause dizziness and
packaging "peanuts", foam
unconsciousness. Migrates into
packaging, audio cassette housings,
food and stores in body fat.
CD cases, disposable cutlery,
Elevated rates of lymphatic and
building insulation, flotation devices,
hematopoietic cancers for
ice buckets, wall tile, paints, serving
workers.
trays, throw-away hot drink cups,
toys

Polyethelyne (#1 PET)

MC: Monomers

Water and soda bottles, carpet fiber,

chewing gum, coffee stirrers,
drinking glasses, food containers
and wrappers, heat-sealed plastic
packaging, kitchenware, plastic
bags, squeeze bottles, toys

Suspected human carcinogen

Polyester
MC: Benzene

Bedding, clothing, disposable

diapers, food packaging, tampons,
upholstery

Can cause eye and respiratorytract irritation and acute skin

rashes

Plastic

Common Uses

Adverse Health
Effects

LDPE
MC: Naphthalene,
Antioxidants such as BHT &
Irganox 1010

Low-density polyethylene is
relatively transparent and used
to make films of various sorts
(including domestic/household
cling film), and bread bags,
freezer bags, flexible lids and
squeezable food bottles, milk
bottles.

Naphthalene from environment

could potentially be absorbed by
LDPE bottles which milks are
contained. Naphthalene are
generally Carcinogenic.
Antioxidants migrate into the
food and can cause harm to
human health beyond its safety
level.

Note: MC = Migrating Components

How to avoid
these?

Be Plastic
Smart!

Ask yourself

Be a symbol
freak!

Thank you!
By: Abirami Nadarajan (113559)