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A survey of styrene monomer levels in foods and plastic packaging by coupled mass spectrometry—automatic headspace gas chromatography
Author(s) -
Gilbert John,
Startin James R.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740340616
Subject(s) - styrene , chemistry , gas chromatography , gas chromatography–mass spectrometry , chromatography , food packaging , monomer , food science , mass spectrometry , copolymer , polymer , organic chemistry
Abstract An extensive UK survey of styrene monomer levels in styrene based plastic packaging materials and their contained foods (133 samples) has been carried out, examining a wide range of retail foods of different brand names and including yogurts, creams, salads, coleslaws, soft cheeses, margarines, hot and cold beverages from dispensing machines, spreads, fresh and cooked meats, candied fruits, fresh strawberries, and take‐away ‘fast’ foods. Analysis by headspace gas chromatography of styrene levels in the plastic containers showed levels of monomer ranging from 16 to 1300 mg kg −1 although the majority of containers (73%) had styrene levels in the range 100–500 mg kg −1 and only five plastic tubs had levels exceeding 1000 mg kg −1 . Analysis of the food contents of the plastic containers by automated headspace gas chromatography with single ion monitoring mass spectrometric detection showed levels of the monomer ranging from < 1 μg kg −1 to 200 μg kg −1 , although the majority of foods (77%) had styrene levels below 10 μg kg −1 , and 26% of the total number analysed had levels below 1 μg kg −1 .