Plasticizers in food packaging materials

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The refillable plastic containers made of PET polycondensates have very good resistance to CO2 permeation loss and are particularly suitable for packaging beverages, drinking water, edible oils and the like. However, PET is an organic pollutant that can cause cancer and change in the human body. Its toxicity is mainly manifested as chronic poisoning, and the hazard is often manifested only after many years.

Phthalates (PAEs). PAEs, also known as phthalates, are used in large quantities as plastics, especially plasticizers and softeners for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, which account for approximately 80% of plasticizer consumption. PAEs are also commonly used as additives for paper packaging inner wall foils. However, long-term exposure to PAEs can cause symptoms such as multiple neuritis, dullness, and numbness, which can inhibit and anesthetize the central nervous system of the human body. According to reports, in 1995, 75 cases of PAEs collective food poisoning occurred in Xi'an, China. Poisoning lower limb gastrocnemius muscle pain, weakness in the lower extremities, soft limbs, lying in bed, Achilles tendon reversed or disappeared. One month after the onset of the disease, the limbs were involved. The muscles showed different degrees of muscular atrophy. Severe cases showed pyramidal tract disease and peripheral axonal damage. The FDA reported that inhalation of high doses of PAEs by mammals has shown signs of liver cancer. The experiment also proved that PAEs may have teratogenic and toxic effects on the development of chicken embryos. In addition, PAEs also have the characteristics of estrogens and the biological effects of anti-androgens. They interfere with the normal endocrine function of animals and humans. Frequent contact with these substances by men will reduce the amount of sperm and lead to abnormal sperm.

Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is an additive for epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics. The resulting plastic products are used for the packaging of foods and beverages. The resin products are widely used for the coating of metals, including edible oil packaging materials, food cans, bottle caps, and water supplies. Tubes and so on. People's daily life in the use of such as paper cups, plastic cups and metal cans, etc., may be more or less BPA. BPA's harm to human body is caused by human endocrine disorders. Low levels of BPA reduce sperm counts, increase the incidence of hormone-related cancers such as breast cancer, testicular cancer, and prostate cancer, and cause congenital defects in the reproductive system (non-hereditary testicular cancer), as well as hormone-related diseases such as The girl waits in advance for adolescence. Even at very low concentrations, BPA affects the proportion of male and female frogs, resulting in the sterilization of snails. BPA has a proliferative effect on lymphocytes. Different doses of BPA can induce the proliferation of lymphocytes and thus have potential immunotoxicity.

Plasticizers in food packaging materials can cause food contamination through packaging that comes in contact with food. Therefore, it is imminent to strengthen the research and development of plasticizer substitutes in food packaging materials.