Modelling and assessment of plasticizer migration and structure changes in hydrophobic starch-based films.

The structures of starch and starch-based materials determine additives migration from material matrix. Propionylated starch derived from waxy, normal, G50 and G80 starch were selected as the matrix, the amylose effect on plasticizer (triacetin) migration as well as structural changes in hydrophobic starch-based films were discussed. The constant (k1) of first-order rate and initial release rate (V0) of triacetin migration were consistent with the increment of amylose content. Meanwhile, diffusion model disclosed that Fick's second law was apposite to characterize the short-term migration of triacetin, and larger diffusion coefficient (D) values of short- and long-term migration were also found in films with higher amylose content, indicating that amylose-formed structures were in favor of triacetin migration. In comparison of propionylated amylopectin, Van der Waals's interactions between propionylated amylose and triacetin were easier to be weakened with the migration of triacetin, which promoted the decrease of wavenumber of C-O-C, and enlarged the inter-planner spacing of crystalline structures, promoting the formation of amorphous structures and wrinkles and embossments in films with higher amylose content. This work confirmed that regulating the structures of starch were effective to control the migration behavior of additives from starch-based films.

Semi-continuous Production of 2-Ethyl Hexyl Ester in a Packed Bed Reactor: Optimization and Economic Evaluation.

The aim of this work was to investigate the technical as well as the economic feasibility of producing 2-ethyl hexyl oleate (2-EHO), a non-phthalate plasticizer in a solvent free medium. The esterification reaction between oleic acid and 2-ethyl hexyl alcohol was carried out in a packed bed reactor (PBR) using Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435; Novozymes; Copenhagen-Denmark) as biocatalyst. RSM was employed to optimize the esterification reaction conditions. The optimum reaction conditions were found to be flow rate of 1.5 mL/min, No. of cycles of 12 and molar ratio of 4:1 2-ethyl hexanol to oleic acid. The maximum experimental and predicated conversions were found to be 95.8% and 95.61% respectively. Formation of 2-EHO was approved by FTIR, 1HNMR and 13CNMR. From the economic prospective, PBR was capable of producing 2-EHO with a purity of more than 94% over 480 h without remarkable reduction of enzyme activity. This revealed an economic production of 2-EHO at a yield of 2 tons kg-1 lipase. The manufacturing cost was found to be $ 1.88 /kg 2-EHO, this contributed to a profit of about 30% compared to the commercial price of 2-EHO. Such results approve the technical and economic feasibility for this sustainable method in esters production.

Electrochemical Quantitative Assessment of Labetalol Hydrochloride in Pure Form and Combined Pharmaceutical Formulations.

This work describes how to utilize the electrochemical technique to determine labetalol hydrochloride (Lab) in pure form and combined pharmaceutical formulation for quality control purposes. Four membrane sensors were developed using two plasticizers, dioctyl phthalate with 2-hydroxypropyl-?-cyclodextrin and ammonium reineckate (RNC) for sensors 1a and 2a, and tributyl phthalate with 2-hydroxypropyl-?-cyclodextrin and ammonium reineckate for sensors 1b and 2b as ionophores in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix. Fast response and stable Nernstian slopes of 59.60, 57.58, 53.00 and 55.00 mV/decade for sensors 1a, 2a, 1b, and 2b, respectively, were obtained by developed sensors within a concentration range 10-4 M-10-2 M over pH range 2.00-5.10. Developed sensors showed good selectivity for Lab in pure form, in the presence of co-administered drugs, many of interfering ions, and excipients present in pharmaceutical formulation. No remarkable difference was detected upon the statistical comparison between the results of proposed sensors and the official method.

Oxidation degradation of tris-(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate by ultraviolet driven sulfate radical: Mechanisms and toxicology assessment of degradation intermediates using flow cytometry analyses.

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) were frequently detected in biotic and abiotic matrix owing to their persistence and recalcitrant degradation. Some specific OPFRs, such as tris-(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP), pose a significant potential risk to human health due to their high water solubility. Therefore, an environmentally sound and high efficient technique is in urgent need of controlling TCPP. This research is focused on degrading TCPP using ultraviolet-persulfate (UV/PS) technique. The degradation reaction of TCPP followed a pseudo-first order kinetics with an apparent rate constant (kobs) at 0.1653 min-1. As the photocatalytic reaction proceeded, TCPP was transformed to twelve degradation intermediates via the selective electron-transfer reactions induced by activated sulfate radical. Anions existence and pH value significantly inhibited the degradation efficiency, implying that it was hard for TCPP to reach up to complete mineralization in actual water treatment process. Additionally, toxicological assessment of degradation intermediate mixture was conducted using Flow cytometry (FCM) analyses, and the result showed that the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell apoptotic rates significantly declined, and membrane potential (MP) increased in comparison with original TCPP. On the other hand, the negative impacts of these degradation products on DNA biosynthesis in Escherichia coli were weakened based on cell cycle analysis, all of which indicated that toxicity of these degradation intermediates was obviously reduced via UV/PS treatment. To summarize, an appropriate mineralization is effective for TCPP detoxification, suggesting the feasibility of TCPP control using UV/PS treatment in water matrix.

Assessment of endocrine-disrupting activities of alternative chemicals for bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate.

Plastic products are closely intertwined with modern life. Some plasticizers used in making plastics, such as phthalates, are reported to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Plasticizers can be released into the environment, and health risks related to plasticizer exposure have been reported. In addition, due to plastic waste that flows into the ocean, microplastics have been found in marine products, including non-biological seawater products such as sea salt. Plastics can affect the body via a variety of pathways, and therefore safer alternative chemicals are needed. Three chemicals were evaluated: acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), triethyl 2-acetylcitrate (ATEC), and trihexyl O-acetylacitrate (ATHC), replacing bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), a typical plasticizer. The endocrine-disrupting activities of each chemical, including estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity (test guideline (TG) No. 455), androgenic or anti-androgenic activity (TG No. 458), steroidogenesis (TG No. 456), and estrogenic properties via a short-term screening test using the uterotrophic assay (TG No. 440), were assessed in accordance with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines for chemical testing. Our results showed that DEHP, ATBC, ATEC, ATHC possess no estrogenic activity, whereas DEHP, ATBC and ATHC demonstrate anti-estrogenic activity and ATBC anti-androgenic activity. DEHP and ATHC exhibited a disruption in steroidogenesis activities. Additional tests are necessary, but our results suggest that ATEC is a good candidate plasticizer providing a suitable alternative to DEHP.

Assessment of hot-processability and performance of ethylcellulose-based materials for injection-molded prolonged-release systems: An investigational approach.

The present work focuses on application of an investigational approach to assess the hot-processability of pharmaceutical-grade polymers with a potential for use in the manufacturing of reservoir drug delivery systems via micromolding, and the performance of resulting molded barriers. An inert thermoplastic polymer, ethylcellulose (EC), widely exploited for preparation of prolonged-release systems, was employed as a model component of the release-controlling barriers. Moldability studies were performed with plasticized EC, as such or in admixture with release modifiers, by the use of disk-shaped specimens ≥ 200 µm in thickness. The disks turned out to be a suitable tool for evaluation of the dimensional stability and diffusional barrier performance of the investigated materials after demolding. The effect of the amount of triethyl citrate, used as a plasticizer, on hot-processability of EC was assessed. The rate of a model drug diffusion across the polymeric barriers was shown to be influenced by the extent of porosity from the incorporated additives. The investigational approach proposed, of simple and rapid execution, holds potential for streamlining the development of prolonged-release systems produced by micromolding in the form of drug reservoirs, with no need for molds and molding processes to be set up on a case-by-case basis.

Population Exposure to Phthalate-containing Drugs.

Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors. Not commonly recognized, phthalates are used as excipients in a number of drug formulations. We aimed to describe the sale of phthalate-containing drugs in Denmark from 2004 to 2015. National data on annual sale of medications (tablets only) were accessed from medstat.dk. Data from the Danish Medicines Agency on phthalate content per tablet were merged with data on total sale for each active substance and drug formulation. We used the 'defined daily dose' (DDD) as the unit of sale and calculated the total amount of phthalate (mg) dispensed per 1000 inhabitants. Specific tablet content was compared with the maximum daily exposure limits defined by regulatory agencies for diethyl phthalate (DEP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) of 4.0 and 0.01 mg/kg/day, respectively. Use of phthalate-containing drugs in Denmark was common. We found 154 drug products containing five different phthalates. Two low-molecular-weight phthalates and three high-molecular-weight phthalates were identified, with a total sale of 59.4 and 112 DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day during the study period, respectively. The highest amount of DBP was found in multi-enzymes (24.6-32.8 mg per DDD) and mesalazine (12.5-26.4 mg per DDD). Budesonide, lithium and bisacodyl also exceeded the DBP exposure limit of 0.01 mg/kg/day. Other drugs had high levels of DEP, although not exceeding the exposure limit. Sales of phthalate-containing drugs in Denmark from 2004 to 2015 were substantial, and phthalate exposure from several products exceeded the regulatory exposure limit introduced in 2014.

Health risk assessment of exposures to a high molecular weight plasticizer present in automobile interiors.

This study provides an exposure and risk assessment of diundecyl phthalate (DUP), a high molecular weight phthalate plasticizer present in automobile interiors. Total daily intake of DUP was calculated from DUP measured in wipe samples from vehicle seats from six automobiles. Four of the vehicles exhibited atypical visible surface residue on the seats. Two vehicles with no visible surface residue were sampled as a comparison. DUP was the predominant organic compound identified in each of the wipes from all seats. A risk assessment of DUP via oral, dermal, and inhalation routes resulting from contact with automobile seats was conducted. The mean, standard deviation, and maximum DUP concentrations on the seats with visible surface residue were 6983 ± 7823 µg/100 cm2 and 38300 µg/100 cm2, respectively. The mean and 95th percentile of the mean for daily cumulative dose of DUP for all exposure routes for the seats with no visible surface residue ranged from 7 × 10-4 to 4 × 10-3 mg/kg-day and from 8 × 10-4 to 5 × 10-3 mg/kg-day, respectively. For seats with visible surface residue, cumulative doses ranged from 2 × 10-3 to 2 × 10-2 mg/kg-day and from 4 × 10-3 to 2 × 10-2 mg/kg-day, respectively. The estimated daily intake (contact or absorbed dose) of DUP from automobile seats were far lower than the NOAELs reported in and derived from animal studies, and are well below the reported Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Derived No Effect Levels (DNELs) for the general population. Based on this analysis, using virtually any benchmark for evaluating safety, exposure to DUP via automobile seat covers did not pose a measureable increased health-risk in any population under any reasonably plausible exposure scenario.

RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, CAS registry number 104-76-7.

The use of this material under current conditions is supported by existing information. This material was evaluated for genotoxicity, repeated dose toxicity, developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, local respiratory toxicity, phototoxicity, skin sensitization, as well as environmental safety. Data show that this material is not genotoxic. Data from the suitable read across analog 2-butyloctan-1-ol (CAS # 3913-02-8) show that this material does not have skin sensitization potential. The reproductive and local respiratory toxicity endpoints were completed using the TTC (Threshold of Toxicological Concern) for a Cramer Class I material (0.03 and 1.4 mg/day, respectively). The developmental and repeat dose toxicity endpoints were completed data on the target material which provided a MOE > 100. The phototoxicity/photoallergenicity endpoint was completed based on suitable UV spectra. The environmental endpoint was completed as described in the RIFM Framework.

Quantum-mechanical parameters for the risk assessment of multi-walled carbon-nanotubes: A study using adsorption of probe compounds and its application to biomolecules.

This work forwards new insights into the risk-assessment of multi-walled carbon-nanotubes (MWCNTs) while analysing the role of quantum-mechanical interactions between the electrons in the adsorption of probe compounds and biomolecules by MWCNTs. For this, the quantitative models are developed using quantum-chemical descriptors and their electron-correlation contribution. The major quantum-chemical factors contributing to the adsorption are found to be mean polarizability, electron-correlation energy, and electron-correlation contribution to the absolute electronegativity and LUMO energy. The proposed models, based on only three quantum-chemical factors, are found to be even more robust and predictive than the previously known five or four factors based linear free-energy and solvation-energy relationships. The proposed models are employed to predict the adsorption of biomolecules including steroid hormones and DNA bases. The steroid hormones are predicted to be strongly adsorbed by the MWCNTs, with the order: hydrocortisone > aldosterone > progesterone > ethinyl-oestradiol > testosterone > oestradiol, whereas the DNA bases are found to be relatively less adsorbed but follow the order as: guanine > adenine > thymine > cytosine > uracil. Besides these, the developed electron-correlation based models predict several insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, plasticizers and antimicrobial agents in cosmetics, to be strongly adsorbed by the carbon-nanotubes. The present study proposes that the instantaneous inter-electronic interactions may be quite significant in various physico-chemical processes involving MWCNTs, and can be used as a reliable predictor for their risk assessment.

Development of crayfish bio-based plastic materials processed by small-scale injection moulding.

BACKGROUND: Protein has been investigated as a source for biodegradable polymeric materials. This work evaluates the development of plastic materials based on crayfish and glycerol blends, processed by injection moulding, as a fully biodegradable alternative to conventional polymer-based plastics. The effect of different additives, namely sodium sulfite or bisulfite as reducing agents, urea as denaturing agent and L-cysteine as cross-linking agent, is also analysed. RESULTS: The incorporation of any additive always yields an increase in energy efficiency at the mixing stage, but its effect on the mechanical properties of the bioplastics is not so clear, and even dampened. The additive developing a greater effect is L-cysteine, showing higher Young's modulus values and exhibiting a remnant thermosetting potential. Thus, processing at higher temperature yields a remarkable increase in extensibility. CONCLUSION: This work illustrates the feasibility of crayfish-based green biodegradable plastics, thereby contributing to the search for potential value-added applications for this by-product.

Development and application of a non-targeted extraction method for the analysis of migrating compounds from plastic baby bottles by GC-MS.

In 2011, the European Union prohibited the production of polycarbonate (PC) baby bottles due to the toxic effects of the PC monomer bisphenol-A. Therefore, baby bottles made of alternative materials, e.g. polypropylene (PP) or polyethersulphone (PES), are currently marketed. The principal aim of the study was the identification of major compounds migrating from baby bottles using a liquid-liquid extraction followed by GC/MS analysis. A 50% EtOH in water solution was selected as a simulant for milk. After sterilisation of the bottle, three migration experiments were performed during 2 h at 70°C. A non-targeted liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate-n-hexane (1:1) was performed on the simulant samples. Identification of migrants from 24 baby bottles was done using commercially available WILEY and NIST mass spectra libraries. Differences in the migrating compounds and their intensities were observed between the different types of plastics, but also between the same polymer from a different producer. Differences in the migration patterns were perceived as well between the sterilisation and the migrations and within the different migrations. Silicone, Tritan™ and PP exhibited a wide variety of migrating compounds, whereas PES and polyamide (PA) showed a lower amount of migrants, though sometimes in relatively large concentrations (azacyclotridecan-2-one up to 250 µg kg⁻¹). Alkanes (especially in PP bottles), phthalates (dibutylphthalate in one PP bottle (±40 µg kg⁻¹) and one silicone bottle (±25 µg kg⁻¹); diisobutylphthalate in one PP (±10 µg kg⁻¹), silicone (up to ±80 µg kg⁻¹); and Tritan™ bottle (±30 µg kg⁻¹)), antioxidants (Irgafos 168, degradation products of Irganox 1010 and Irganox 1076), etc. were detected for PP, silicone and Tritan™ bottles. Although the concentrations were relatively low, some compounds not authorised by European Union Regulation No. 10/2011, such as 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (10-100 µg kg⁻¹) or 2-butoxyethyl acetate (about 300 µg kg⁻¹) were detected. Migrating chemicals were identified as confirmed (using a standard) or as tentative (further confirmation required).

Assessment of the physical, mechanical, and moisture-retention properties of pullulan-based ternary co-blended films.

Multi-component substances made through direct blending or blending with co-drying can form films on the surfaces of intermediate moisture foods (IMFs), which help retain moisture and protect food texture and flavor. An IMF film system based on pullulan, with glycerol serving as the plasticizer, was studied using alginate and four different types of polysaccharides (propyleneglycol alginate, pectin, carrageenan, and aloe polysaccharide) as the blend-modified substances. The physical, mechanical, color, transparency, and moisture-retention properties of the co-blended films with the polysaccharides were assessed. A new formula was established for the average moisture retention property, water barrier, tensile strength, elongation at break, and oxygen barrier property of the ternary co-blended films using the Design Expert software. The new model established for moisture content measurement used an indirect method of film formation on food surfaces by humectants, which should expedite model validation and allow a better comprehension of moisture transfer through edible films.

Plasticizer contamination in edible vegetable oil in a U.S. retail market.

With the wide application of plastics, the contamination of plasticizers migrating from plastic materials in the environment is becoming ubiquitous. The presence of phthalates, the major group of plasticizers, in edible items has gained increasingly more concern due to their endocrine disrupting property. In this study, 15 plasticizers in 21 edible vegetable oils purchased from a U.S. retail market were analyzed using gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) were detected in all oil samples. Benzylbutyl phthalate (BzBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP) were detected at a rate of 95.2, 90.5, and 90.5%, respectively. The detection rates for all other plasticizers ranged from 0 to 57.1%. The content of total plasticizers in oil samples was determined to be 210-7558 µg/kg, which was comparable to the content range in oil marketed in Italy. Although no significant difference (p = 0.05) in the total content of plasticizer was observed among oil species (soybean, canola, corn, and olive), the wider range and higher average of total content of plasticizers in olive oil than other oil species indicated the inconsistence of plasticizer contamination in olive oil and a possible priority for quality monitoring. No significant difference (p = 0.05) in the total content of plasticizers was found among glass-bottle (n = 4), plastic-bottle (n = 14), and metal-can (n = 3) packaging, implying that oil packaging is not the major cause of plasticizer contamination. The daily intake amount of plasticizers contained in edible oil on this U.S. retail market constituted only a minimum percentage of reference dose established by US EPA, thus no obvious toxicological effect might be caused. However, the fact that DEHP content in two olive oils exceeded relevant special migration limits (SMLs) of Europe and China might need attention.

Printing ink compounds in foods: UK survey results.

Three hundred and fifty foodstuffs packaged in printed paper/board were purchased from UK retail outlets. Solvent extracts of all foods and associated quality assurance samples were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine the presence and concentrations of 20 printing ink compounds: benzophenone, 4-methylbenzophenone, 2-methylbenzophenone, 3-methylbenzophenone, 4-hydroxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxybenzophenone, 4-phenylbenzophenone, methyl-2-benzoylbenzoate, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, 2-isopropylthioxanthone, 4-isopropylthioxanthone, 2,4-diethyl-9H-thioxanthen-9-one, 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, 2-methyl-4'-(methylthio)-2-morpholinopropiophenone, 4-(4-methylphenylthio)benzophenone, ethyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl-4-(dimethylamino)benzoate, N-ethyl-p-toluene-sulphonamide, triphenyl phosphate and di-(2-ethylhexyl) fumarate. The presence of one or more of the compounds benzophenone, 4-phenylbenzophenone, methyl-2-benzoylbenzoate, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, 4-(4-methylphenylthio)benzophenone, ethyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate and triphenyl phosphate was confirmed in some food samples. Analysis of the associated packaging material was also carried out to confirm whether or not it was likely that the occurrence of these compounds in the foods was due to migration from the printed paper/board packaging. With the exception of triphenyl phosphate, detected in one foodstuff, all the packaging material contained the substance(s) found in the food.

LC-TOF/MS determination of phthalates in edible salts from food markets in Korea.

Residual quantities of 12 phthalates have been monitored in edible salts (raw salts, refined salts, refined salts with additives and baked salts) available in Korean food markets. Liquid-liquid extraction followed by liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF/MS) was used to analyse the samples. The method was validated and showed linear correlation (R² > 0.996) in the range 0.5-100 ng g⁻¹ for all target analytes. Recoveries were 85.9-108.4%, except for diethyl phthalate (DEP). Relative standard deviations (RSDs) were 2.7-6.0% and the limits of detection (LODs) were 1.2-2.8 ng g⁻¹. Although the contamination of phthalates in salt would be trivial in comparison to those of other main foods and below the reference dose of the Chronic Oral Exposure recommended by US-EPA, the availability of reference data could be valuable for food chemists and salt manufacturers.

Stability of the physical properties of plasticized edible films from squid (Todarodes pacificus) mantle muscle during storage.

UNLABELLED: Edible films from squid mantle muscle plasticized with different plasticizers were stored at 25 °C, 50% RH before the determination of physical properties. The results showed that tensile strength significantly increased (P < 0.05) upon the storage time, especially for the film plasticized with glucose, while there was no significant change (P ≥ 0.05) in elongation at break of all plasticized films. Water vapor permeability of glucose-plasticized film significantly decreased (P < 0.05) during storage, while there was only a slight change in those with glycerol, sorbitol, and fructose. Redness and yellowness of the films became significantly higher (P < 0.05) during storage, especially for the films plasticized with fructose and glucose. SDS-PAGE and protein solubility in SDS solution showed a possibility of protein aggregation throughout the storage. From these results, it is suggested that the changes in physical properties of the films were caused by the progress of Maillard reaction. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In this study, squid mantle muscle was used as an edible film-forming material. By mixing with Na-citrate, squid mantle muscle possessed the ability to form transparent films with an excellent UV barrier property. Glycerol was found to be the most effective and stable plasticizer for the films. Edible films represent an option for the utilization of discarded squid during the fishing process.

Construction and performance characterization of screen printed and carbon paste ion selective electrodes for potentiometric determination of naphazoline hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations.

This paper describes the development of screen-printed (SPE) and carbon paste (CPE) sensors for the rapid and sensitive quantification of naphazoline hydrochloride (NPZ) in pharmaceutical formulations. This work compares the electroactivity of conventional carbon paste and screen-printed carbon paste electrodes towards potentiometric titration of NPZ. The repeatability and accuracy of measurements performed in the analysis of these pharmaceutical matrices using new screen printed sensors were evaluated. The influence of the electrode composition, conditioning time of the electrode and pH of the test solution, on the electrode performance were investigated. The drug electrode showed Nernstain responses in the concentration range from 1 × 10(-6) to 1 × 10(-2) mol L(-1) with slopes of 57.5 ± 1.3 and 55.9 ± 1.6 mV per decade for SPE and CPE, respectively, and was found to be very precise and usable within the pH range 3-8. These sensors exhibited a fast response time (about 3 s for both SPE and CPE, respectively), a low detection limit (3.5 × 10(-6) and 1.5 × 10(-6) M for SPE and CPE, respectively), a long lifetime (3 and 2 months for SPE and CPE, respectively) and good stability. The selectivity of the electrode toward a large number of inorganic cations, sugars and amino acids was tested. It was applied to potentiometric determination of NPZ in pure state and pharmaceutical preparation under batch conditions. The percentage recovery values for the assay of NPZ in tablets (relative standard deviations ≤0.3% for n = 4) were compared well with those obtained by the official method.

Phthalates and food-contact materials: enforcing the 2008 European Union plastics legislation.

The migration of phthalates into foodstuffs from food-contact materials (FCM) is a well-known source of food contamination. In 2005, the European Food Safety Authority finalized its risk assessment for several of the classical phthalate plasticizers. In their risk management procedure the European Commission transformed the tolerable daily intakes established by the Authority into legislative limits for phthalates in both plastic and food simulants, while taking exposure from other sources into consideration. These limits have been into force since 1 July 2008. A detailed interpretation of the regulation of these substances was agreed upon in the European network of FCM reference laboratories. This paper reports results from a Danish control campaign of samples collected by official food inspectors and analysed by a newly validated analytical method run under accreditation. Samples were from FCM producers, FCM importers and importers of packed foodstuffs from third-party countries. Products containing phthalates above the current limits were found in several categories of FCM: conveyor belts (six of six), lids from packed foodstuffs in glasses (eight of 28), tubes for liquid foodstuffs (four of five) and gloves (five of 14). More than 20% of the samples analysed contained dibutylphthalate (DBP) or di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) above the compositional limits of 0.05% and 0.1%, respectively. Analysis of residual phthalates in metal lid gaskets instead of analysis of phthalates in the food when controlling foodstuffs packed outside the European Union proved to be an efficient and simple control method. All findings of phthalates were associated with the use of plasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC).

Combinatorial screening of polymeric sensing materials using RFID sensors: combined effects of plasticizers and temperature.

Recently, we have developed battery-free, passive RFID chemical and biological sensors that are attractive in diverse applications where sensor performance is needed at a low cost and when battery-free operation is critical. In this study, we apply this attractive low-cost sensing platform for the combinatorial screening of formulated sensing materials. As a model system, a 6 x 8 array of polymer-coated RFID sensors was constructed to study the combined effects of polymeric plasticizers and annealing temperature. A solid polymer electrolyte Nafion was formulated with five different phthalate plasticizers: dimethyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, dicapryl phthalate, and diisotridecyl phthalate. These sensing film formulations and control sensing films without a phthalate plasticizer were deposited onto 9-mm diameter RFID sensors, exposed to eight temperatures ranging from 40 to 140 degrees C using a gradient temperature heater, and evaluated for their response stability and gas-selectivity response patterns. This study demonstrated that our RFID-based sensing approach permits rapid cost-effective combinatorial screening of dielectric properties of sensing materials.