ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH RISK CAUSED BY PHTHALATES PENETRATING WITH DAIRY PRODUCTS IN POLYMER PACKAGING

Authors

  • Vladimir Bebîh National Agency for Public Health, Chișinău, Republic of Moldova
  • Raisa Sîrcu National Agency for Public Health, Chișinău, Republic of Moldova
  • Dmitrii Lazakovich Central Laboratory for Testing Alcoholic/Non-alcoholic Beverages and Canned Goods, Chișinău, Republic of Moldova

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5637063

Keywords:

phthalates, milk products, polymer package, risk assessment

Abstract

Objectives. One of the most common types of milk packaging is the so-called soft plastic bags. Phthalates are widely used as plasticizers in the production of this type of polymeric packaging material. There is data on the migration of phthalates from food containers into the environment, including food and raw materials. When phthalates enter the body, they affect the hormonal, reproductive and respiratory systems, they also can participate in the processes of carcinogenesis. Phthalates are classified as endocrine disruptors. Dairy products packed in soft plastic bags and tetra-packs are widely represented in the consumer market of Moldova. In this regard, the purpose of the study was to determine the concentration of phthalates in dairy products packaged in polymer containers and to assess the health risk for consumers.

Materials and methods. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was used to study the presence of phthalates in samples of dairy products (milk and kefir) carried in the Chișinău markets and grocery stores. The extraction of phthalates from the test sample was carried out by liquid-liquid extraction (fractionation), followed by quantitative determination.

Results. The average concentration of phthalates varies from 0.02 mg/L (dibutyl phthalate in kefir and milk samples) to 1.04 mg/L (bis (2-ethylhexyl phthalate in milk samples).

Conclusions. The assessment of the risk to human health when consuming the studied dairy products packed in plastic bags showed that the concentrations of the detected phthalates do not exceed their daily consumption and the reference dose of phthalates for chronic oral intake.

Published

01-11-2021

Issue

Section

SCIENTIFIC STUDIES