Assessing human exposure to phthalic acid and phthalate esters from mineral water stored in polyethylene terephthalate and glass bottles

Phthalic acid and phthalate esters are of growing interest due to their significant usage and potential toxicity. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and glass are both widely used materials for bottled drinking water. In this study, phthalic acid (PhA), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiisoBP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) were analysed in a large number of Italian bottled water samples. These samples showed different concentrations of phthalates are nearly 20 times higher in samples bottled in PET than those from glass bottles with total levels of phthalates of 3.52 and 0.19 µg l^?1, respectively. However, the observed levels do not represent a significant exposure pathway when considering the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) reference dose (an estimate of a daily oral exposure to the human population, including sensitive subgroups, that is likely to be without an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime). In addition, no significant correlation was found between the phthalate concentrations and the physicochemical properties of the different water samples, apart from the still/sparkling water parameter for the PET samples. In this instance, slightly higher concentrations were observed for the PET bottled still water samples than for the sparkling water samples, although no explanation has been found yet.     

Concentrations of phthalates in bottled water under common storage conditions: Do they pose a health risk to children?

Of recent concern is the migration of phthalates from plastic products such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles into the water contain. These concerns should be addressed, especially considering the steady growth of the consumption of bottled water and the toxicological effects of phthalates. In this regard, special attention should be paid to children's consumption because of their particular susceptibility to the effects of phthalates.The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of phthalates, including dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), in bottled water and to estimate the health risk of endocrine disrupting chemicals due to water intake in children for the first time.Migration of phthalates was investigated in PET-bottled water under various storage conditions using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy. A phthalate exposure assessment was performed to characterize their risk to the children's health via a calculated hazard quotient (HQ).It seems that increase in the temperature and the duration of storage affect phthalate migration, but the level of DEHP in bottled water was always very low and does not exceed 26.83% of the U.S. EPA maximum concentration limit (MCL). In particular, phthalate migration was not substantial at low temperatures (< 25 °C) and freezing conditions and the most abundant phthalate (DEHP) was not more than 10.6% MCL.The estimated child intake ranged from 0.01 μg/kg/day for BBP to 0.24 μg/kg/day for DEHP. Estimated phthalate intakes are generally in the safe range and exposure decreased with increasing age. Toxicological risk assessment of the maximum concentrations measured revealed a maximum HQ of 0.012 in the worst condition. Furthermore, a negligible carcinogenic risk of 6.5 × 10^− 7 for DEHP was observed. Consequently, risk evaluation showed that bottled water is safe for consumption by children.     

Migration of plasticizers phthalates, bisphenol A and alkylphenols from plastic containers and evaluation of risk

This study investigates the potential migration of plasticisers, plastic components and additives from several plastic water bottles. Compounds studied were phthalates (dimethyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, benzylbutyl phthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, octylphenol, 4-nonylphenol and bisphenol A. Polycarbonate (PC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS) plastics used in the water bottling sector were tested using three kinds of total or specific migration tests: (1) standard method UNE-EN ISO 177; (2) ultrasonic forced extraction; and (3) standard method UNE-EN 13130-1. In addition, bottled waters contained in different plastic materials were analysed to determine the potential migration of target compounds in real conditions. In all cases, samples were solid-phase extracted using Oasis HLB 200 mg cartridges and analysed using GC-MS in scan-acquisition mode. Bisphenol A and 4-nonylphenol were detected in incubated samples, indicating that migration from food plastics can occur at the experimental conditions tested. The total daily intake was calculated according to the levels detected in bottled water and the assessment of the consumers' risk was evaluated taking into consideration toxicological and legislative values.     

Phthalate Esters in Foods: Sources,Occurrence, and Analytical Methods

ABSTRACT: Phthalates are a group of diesters of ortho‐phthalic acid (dialkyl or alkyl aryl esters of 1,2‐benzenedicarboxylic acid). Higher‐molecular‐weight phthalates, such as di‐2‐ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), are primarily used as plasticizers to soften polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, while the lower‐molecular‐weight phthalates, such as diethyl phthalate (DEP), di‐n‐butyl phthalate (DBP), and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), are widely used as solvents to hold color and scent in various consumer and personal care products. Phthalates have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants due to volatilization and leaching from their widespread applications, and thus contamination of the environment has become another important source for phthalates in foods in addition to migration from packaging materials. Human exposure to phthalates has been an increased concern due to the findings from toxicology studies in animals. DEHP, one of the important and widely used phthalates, is a rodent liver carcinogen. DEHP, DBP, BBzP, and several phthalate metabolites, such as monobutyl phthalate, monobenzyl phthalate, and mono‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate, are teratogenic in animals. Since foods are the major source of exposure to phthalates, information on levels of phthalates in foods is important for human exposure assessment. The objective of this review is to identify the knowledge gaps for future investigations by reviewing levels of a wide range of phthalates in a variety of foods, such as bottled water, soft drinks, infant formula, human milk, total diet foods, and others, migration of phthalates from various food‐packaging materials, and traditional and new methodologies for the determination of phthalates in foods.     

Determination of organic compounds in bottled waters

The presence of organic compounds in bottled waters available in the Greek market and their fate when the representative samples exposed at different conditions were the main purposes of this study. The determination of the organic compounds was performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry techniques. Disinfection by-products compounds, such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), were detected at low concentrations in bottled waters. As far as it concerns other organic substances, Greek bottled drinking waters did not contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbonyl compounds as well as other carcinogen and hormone disrupter phthalates were not identified, except for the plasticiser phthalate, diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). Moreover, samples contained other organic chemicals, whose identity has not yet been confirmed. The behavior of organic compounds was influenced by parameters such as conditions of storage, type of water. Finally, a comparison has been performed between the analysis of bottled and local tap waters.     

Lead in bottled waters: contamination from glass and comparison with pristine groundwater

Using clean lab methods and protocols developed for measuring lead (Pb) in polar snow and ice, we report the abundance of Pb in 125 brands of bottled water from 28 countries. Comparison of six samples of each of three brands of water available in both glass and polyethyelene terephthalate (PET(E)) showed that the waters bottled in glass contained approximately 57, 30, and 26 times more Pb due to leaching from the containers. Excluding the bottled waters in glass, the median Pb concentration in all bottled waters was found to be 8.5 ng/L (n=185), with a range from <1 to 761 ng/L Pb. Our study includes 25 brands of bottled water from Canada, and the median Pb concentration in these samples was 15.9 ng/L (n=25), with a range from 2.1 to 268 ng/L. For comparison with the bottled waters, pristine groundwater from six artesian flows in southern Ontario, Canada, where some of the bottled waters originate, yielded a median concentration of 5.1 ng/L Pb (n=18). The median Pb concentrations reported here for bottled waters from Canada are 32-588 times less than those presented in recently published studies. In fact, all of the waters tested were well below the maximum allowable concentration established by the EU, Health Canada, and the WHO for Pb in drinking water (10 microg/L).     

Phthalate esters in bottled drinking water and their human exposure in Beijing,China

Phthalate esters (PAEs) have attracted much attention because of their ubiquity and toxicity. However, previous studies mainly focused on the occurrence of PAEs controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency and neglected most uncontrolled PAEs. In this study, the occurrence of 21 PAEs, including 6 controlled and 15 uncontrolled PAEs, was investigated in polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-bottled drinking water samples purchased from markets in Beijing. Seventeen PAEs were detected in all samples, with dibutyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, and dimethyl phthalate as the predominant compounds. Correlation analysis suggested that PET bottles might be one of the potential sources of PAEs in PET-bottled drinking water. The human health risks assessments indicated little or no risks from four controlled PAEs in bottled water. In comparison, the risks of uncontrolled PAEs should be of greater concern for their ubiquities in bottled drinking water.     

Quantification of Six Phthalates and One Adipate in Luxembourgish Beer Using HS-SPME-GC/MS

A simple, low-cost and sensitive method for the determination of six phthalate acid esters (dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and dioctyl phthalate) and one adipate (bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate) in beer has been developed using head-space solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). SPME conditions were optimised, and optimum extraction parameters were found to be 95 °C at 100 min, without addition of NaCl. Matrix interference was avoided by using a deuterated internal standard (ISTD). Limits of detection ranged from 0.006 to 0.590 μg/L. The method showed good linearity with coefficients of determination ranging from 0.963 to 0.999 and satisfactory accuracy (74–101 %) and repeatability (3.56–27.86 %) values. The method was applied to 15 samples of beer from Luxembourgish breweries, stored in different containers (can, glass and aluminium bottle), and phthalates were detected in all samples with concentrations as high as 61.56 μg/L for total phthalates. The exact origins of phthalates in beer were difficult to determine from the data in this study, though the brewing and bottling process seems to be a major contributor.     

Comparative assessment of human exposure to phthalate esters from house dust in China and the United States

Because of volatilization and leaching from their application in consumer and personal care products, phthalate esters are ubiquitous contaminants in the indoor environment. In this study, we measured concentrations and profiles of 9 phthalate esters in indoor dust samples collected from six cities in China (n = 75). For comparison, we also analyzed samples collected from Albany, New York, USA (n = 33). The results indicated that concentrations, except for dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and profiles of phthalate esters varied significantly between the two countries. Concentrations of diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-hexyl phthalate (DNHP), and benzyl butyl phthalate (BzBP) were 5 to 10 times higher in dust samples collected from Albany than those from the Chinese cities. In contrast, concentrations of di-iso-butyl phthalate (DIBP) in dust samples from Albany were 5 times lower than those from the Chinese cities. We estimated the daily intake (DI) of phthalate esters through the routes of dust ingestion and dermal dust absorption. The extent of contribution of indoor dust to human exposures varied, depending on the type of phthalate esters. The contribution of dust to DEHP exposure was 2-5% and 10-58% of the estimated total DIs in China and the USA, respectively. On the basis of the estimates of total DIs of phthalates, extrapolated from urinary metabolite concentrations, the contributions of inhalation, dermal absorption, and dietary intake to total DIs were estimated. The results indicated that dietary intake is the main source of exposure to DEHP (especially in China), whereas dermal exposure was a major source for DEP. This is the first study to elucidate sources of human exposure to phthalates among the general population in China.     

Occurrence of phthalate metabolites in human urine from several Asian countries

The occurrence of 14 phthalate metabolites was found in human urine samples collected from seven Asian countries: China, India, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Phthalate metabolites were found in all samples, indicating widespread exposure of humans to phthalates in these Asian countries. The highest total (the sum of 14 phthalates) phthalate metabolite concentrations were found in samples collected from Kuwait (median: 1050 ng/mL), followed in decreasing order by samples from India (389 ng/mL), China (234 ng/mL), Vietnam (133 ng/mL), Japan (120 ng/mL), Korea (117 ng/mL), and Malaysia (94.9 ng/mL). The creatinine-adjusted median concentrations of total phthalates for urine samples from Kuwait, India, China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, and Malaysia were 692, 506, 289, 119, 103, 104, and 169 μg/g creatinine, respectively. Monomethyl phthalate (mMP), monoethyl phthalate (mEP), mono (2-isobutyl phthalate) (miBP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (mBP), and metabolites of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were the dominant compounds, collectively accounting for >95% of the total concentrations in the samples from the seven countries. The profiles of urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations varied among the samples collected from the seven countries. Urine samples from Kuwait contained the highest concentrations of mEP (median: 391 ng/mL), mBP (94.1 ng/mL), and the metabolites of DEHP (202 ng/mL), whereas samples from China and Japan contained the highest concentrations of miBP (50.8 ng/mL) and mMP (17.5 ng/mL), respectively. mEP was the predominant metabolite in urine samples from India and Kuwait (accounting for 49% of the total), mBP and miBP were the predominant compounds in samples from China (52%), and DEHP metabolites were the predominant compounds in samples from Korea (46%) and Vietnam (52%). Based on the urinary concentrations of mEP, mBP, miBP, and DEHP metabolites of the samples from the seven Asian countries, we estimated daily intake rates of diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and DEHP. The results indicated that people in the seven Asian countries are exposed to DEP, DBP, and DEHP at levels well below the reference doses (RfD) suggested as unsafe by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The estimated exposure doses to DEHP in Kuwait, however, were above the RfD recommended by the EPA.     

Analysis of phthalates residues in apple juices produced in Saudi Arabia

Fruit juices are popular beverages regularly consumed by both adults and children. Various brands of different fruit juices in Saudi markets are packaged in disposable plastic bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Some evidence suggests that phthalates may leach from PET bottles. Few studies have analyzed the presence or assessed the risk of phthalates in fruit juice. The concentrations of dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octylphthalate (DOP) were measured in seven brands of commercially manufactured apple juice available in the Saudi market using solid-phase microextraction connected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Nearly all targeted compounds were found in the brands of juice, with DOP being detected in all samples. Of 70 samples of apple juice, 11, 39, 2, 11 and 11 had levels of DEP, DBP, BBP, DEHP, and DOP, respectively, above their limit of quantification (LOQ). These phthalates may have either leached into the juice from the PET bottles or were contaminants during manufacturing. Benzyl benzoate (BB) was used as an internal standard, and was unexpectedly found in two brands of apple juice, which forced us to use external calibration method for quantifying the phthalates and to measure BB concentrations in these two brands. All samples were above the LOQ of 0.628 µg/L. BB exposure via the consumption of apple juice may represent a negligible risk, but the use of BB in cosmetics, personal-care products, and as a preservative in food demands studies to assess its potential impact on health. With the absence of regulations governing the safety of contaminants in these products, the presence of phthalates in apple juice or other dietary sources could pose a health risk to consumers.     

Determination of Phthalate Residues in Different Types of Yogurt by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Estimation of Yogurt-Related Intake of Phthalates

Phthalates are potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals, found widely in the environment, and commonly used to make plastics softer and more flexible. Little information is available about the presence of phthalates in yogurt products sold on the world market. This study aimed to develop a sensitive GC-MS method for the determination of selected phthalates in yogurt and residue levels in fruit yogurts together with the packaging materials and to estimate a yogurt-related exposure to phthalates in the Turkish population. Acetonitrile extraction followed by cleanup procedures using different adsorbents yielded relatively clean extracts. The presence as the percent of selected phthalates tested—dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)—were determined as 76, 70, 70, 54, 20, and 8% of the samples, respectively, for the phthalates, ranging from <LOQ to 1640 μg/kg. The highest concentrations were found in cherry yogurt among the fruit yogurts, while banana and pineapple yogurts contained the least. The results indicate that the estimated daily intakes for phthalates were below tolerable daily intakes.     

Analysis of plasticizers in cap-sealing resins for bottled foods

A survey of plasticizers in cap-sealing resins for bottled foods has been undertaken. During 1997-1999 di-(2- ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) was found in seven out of 21 samples on the Japanese domestic market and in 10 out of 61 imported samples as well as a further two samples which contained di-(2-ethylhexyl)adipate (DEHA). In the period 1993-1999, of the other plasticizers diacetyl lauroyl glycerol (DALG) was only detected in domestic samples whereas diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and diisononyl phthalate (DINP) were only in imported samples. It was observed overall that DEHP and DEHA were restricted to use in cap-sealing resins for bottled foods. Whilst phthalates, DEHA or DALG were detected in samples in 1993 and 1995, the investigation in 1997-1999 showed fewer samples in which these plasticizers were found.     

Migration of plasticizersphthalates,bisphenol A and alkylphenols from plastic containers and evaluation of risk

This study investigates the potential migration of plasticisers, plastic components and additives from several plastic water bottles. Compounds studied were phthalates (dimethyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, benzylbutyl phthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, octylphenol, 4-nonylphenol and bisphenol A. Polycarbonate (PC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS) plastics used in the water bottling sector were tested using three kinds of total or specific migration tests: (1) standard method UNE-EN ISO 177; (2) ultrasonic forced extraction; and (3) standard method UNE-EN 13130 UNE-EN 13130. 2005. Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs – plastics substances subject to limitation. Part 1: guide to test methods for the specific migration of substances from plastics to foods and food stimulants and the determination of substances in plastics and the selection of conditions of exposure to food simulants.  [Google Scholar]-1. In addition, bottled waters contained in different plastic materials were analysed to determine the potential migration of target compounds in real conditions. In all cases, samples were solid-phase extracted using Oasis HLB 200?mg cartridges and analysed using GC-MS in scan-acquisition mode. Bisphenol A and 4-nonylphenol were detected in incubated samples, indicating that migration from food plastics can occur at the experimental conditions tested. The total daily intake was calculated according to the levels detected in bottled water and the assessment of the consumers’ risk was evaluated taking into consideration toxicological and legislative values.     

Quantitative identification of unknown exposure pathways of phthalates based on measuring their metabolites in human urine

Humans are exposed to ubiquitous phthalates via multiple pathways. Exposures to phthalates have been estimated in some previous risk assessments in Japan based on point-of-contact measurement or scenario evaluation approaches. While the Japanese national government has regulated the use of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and excluded several other phthalates from its regulation based on some of them, it is unclear whether such past exposure assessment studies fully assessed total human exposure to phthalates. In the present study, we measured their urinary metabolites, which show direct evidence of human exposure to phthalates. We recruited voluntary participants (N = 36) who agreed to donate urine samples, and measured the urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites using enzymatic deconjugation, solid-phase extraction, and high-performance liquid-chromatography isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry. We then derived the daily intakes of their respective phthalates based on steady state assumption and finally compared them with the corresponding estimated daily intakes of each phthalate via diet and air derived from previous exposure or risk assessments in Japan. These comparisons showed that exposures to dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, and di-n-butyl phthalate via diet and air accounted for less than half of their respective total exposures. On the other hand, it appears that dietary intake was more predictive for the total exposure to n-butyl-benzyl phthalate and DEHP. The probabilities that the log normal distribution of each phthalate daily intake estimated from the present study exceeds the corresponding tolerable daily intake were estimated to be less than 10(-4).     

Phthalates exposure indicators determined by urinary phthalate metabolites in healthy non-obese Czech adults: FANTOM study

It is assumed that human exposure to phthalates may be associated with adverse health effects. The indicators of urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in healthy adults are limited. In this study, the phthalate metabolites concentrations were detected from 24-h urine collection in non-obese Czech adults (n = 201). Each participant filled in an 80-item questionnaire (FANTOM-SQ 2013) regarding the outdoor and indoor sources of phthalates, the use of personal care products and food intake sources. The concentrations of 15 phthalates metabolites were analysed following enzymatic cleavage of the glucuronide using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The indicators of chronic or acute exposure phthalate-containing materials were identified. It is shown that higher fruit consumption was positively and significantly associated with a higher level of total 15 urinary phthalates biomarkers (p < 0.001). Regular meat consumption showed a negative significant association with total 15 phthalates metabolites (p < 0.01). The use of personal care products was significantly and positively correlated with monoethyl phthalate urine concentrations (p < 0.05). The analysis of the dietary behaviour and personal care products use in the Czech non-obese population showed it to be a predictable tool in the level of phthalates exposure when high fruit consumption and personal care products use are linked to higher phthalate metabolite contents in the urine. However, this topic deserves more research.     

Survey of phthalate levels in Italian oily foods contained in glass jars with PVC gaskets

A method based on gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry was used to assess levels of twelve phthalates in 50 samples of oily foods packed in glass jars with metal closure obtained from a retail market. The amounts of di-methyl phthalate, di-ethyl phthalate, di-propyl phthalate, di-butyl phthalate, di-pentyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, di-cyclohexyl phthalate, di-n-octyl phthalate, di-isononyl phthalate and di-isodecyl phthalate in all samples analysed were less than the limit of quantification (LOQ). Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was detected in 20 samples in the range from 0.1 to 6 mg kg^?1 with an average of 1.0 mg kg^?1, and it exceeded the specific migration limit (SML) of 1.5 mg kg^?1 in five cases with an average of 3.0 mg kg^?1. Di-isobutyl phthalate was found in four samples at 0.1–0.4 mg kg^?1. The PVC gaskets used for the lids were negative for all tested phthalates, suggesting that the contamination of the foods originated from other sources, e.g. olive oil.     

Migration of phthalates from soft PVC packaging into shower and bath gels and assessment of consumer risk

Phthalates are used as plasticizers in many commodities and materials. Therefore, they are found everywhere as contaminants in food and in environmental samples. Due to their potential for developmental and reproductive toxicity, some congeners pose a health risk for consumers and their use is legally restricted with bans and limits. This, however, applies only partly to their usage in cosmetics, toys and packaging materials. Phthalates used as plasticizers in cosmetic packaging could be a previously unknown source of exposure for consumers. In market surveys of the state laboratory of Basel-City, conspicuously high levels of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-iso-nonyl phthalate (DINP) were found in shower and bath gels packed in soft PVC shaped as animals or fruits. The concentrations found ranged from 0.02 to 1.3%. It could be shown that concentrations increased significantly during storage. It can therefore be assumed that the phthalates found migrated from the packaging into the gels. The estimated exposure of adults and children to DEHP and DINP of 3.5 and 4.6 μg/kg bw/day, respectively, which may result when using the tested gels does not pose a health risk for the consumer (exposure value below TDI). Regarding the high background contamination levels with phthalates in other sources, exposure from cosmetics should be kept as low as possible. The establishment of limits for phthalates in cosmetics is discussed.     

Electronic tongue: a versatile tool for mineral and fruit-flavored waters recognition

Natural mineral waters (still), effervescent natural mineral waters (sparkling) and aromatized waters with fruit-flavors (still or sparkling) are an emerging market. In this work, the capability of a potentiometric electronic tongue, comprised with lipid polymeric membranes, to quantitatively estimate routinely quality physicochemical parameters (pH and conductivity) as well as to qualitatively classify water samples according to the type of water was evaluated. The study showed that a linear discriminant model, based on 21 sensors selected by the simulated annealing algorithm, could correctly classify 100 % of the water samples (leave-one out cross-validation). This potential was further demonstrated by applying a repeated K-fold cross-validation (guaranteeing that at least 15 % of independent samples were only used for internal-validation) for which 96 % of correct classifications were attained. The satisfactory recognition performance of the E-tongue could be attributed to the pH, conductivity, sugars and organic acids contents of the studied waters, which turned out in significant differences of sweetness perception indexes and total acid flavor. Moreover, the E-tongue combined with multivariate linear regression models, based on sub-sets of sensors selected by the simulated annealing algorithm, could accurately estimate water’s pH (25 sensors: R ² equal to 0.99 and 0.97 for leave-one-out or repeated K-folds cross-validation) and conductivity (23 sensors: R ² equal to 0.997 and 0.99 for leave-one-out or repeated K-folds cross-validation). So, the overall satisfactory results achieved, allow envisaging a potential future application of electronic tongue devices for bottled water analysis and classification.     

Investigation of the primary plasticisers present in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products currently authorised as food contact materials

PVC is a common food contact material that is usually plasticised to increase its flexibility. Phthalates are one class of chemical compounds that are often used as plasticisers in PVC in a wide range of industries. They may be used in packaging materials for foods and can also be found in components of certain food processing equipment such as conveyor belts and tubing. Transfer of plasticisers from packaging to foods can occur. In recent years, there has been increased interest in understanding the health effects of phthalates, as well as the possible human exposure levels. However, there is limited information available about the routes of exposure to phthalates. In July 2014, the Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) produced a report for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission detailing the potential health hazards of phthalates and phthalate alternatives. This report listed diet as one factor contributing greater than or equal to 10% of total phthalate exposure. As a result of this report, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is interested in determining the types of the primary plasticiser present in food packaging and processing materials as well as their concentrations. An investigation was conducted of 56 different samples of PVC food packaging and food processing materials available in the US market using a solvent extraction and GC-MS analysis. Nine different plasticisers including three phthalates, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diisononyl phthalate and diisodecyl phthalate, were identified in the products tested. The plasticiser concentrations ranged from 1 to 53% depending on the types of food contact materials and the type of plasticiser. Overall, it appears that manufacturers are switching away from phthalates as their primary plasticiser to alternate compounds such as ESBO, ATBC, DEHT, DINCH, DEHA and DINA.