Study on element migration from plastic food packagings to simulating solutions

Abstract

In the present study a radiometric method was established for element migration determination from plastic food packagings to simulating solutions of 3% acetic acid solution and of water. This radiometric method consisted in irradiating plastics with neutrons, followed by exposition for migration and measurement the radioactivity in food-simulating solution. The experimental conditions used were 10 days of exposure at 40°C. The migration was studied for packagings of water and dairy products. The results indicated the migration of Co, Cr and Sb to the simulating solutions. The advantages of this methodology are no necessity of blank analysis, as well as the use of high purity simulants. Moreover, it is possible to evaluate the migration to the food contents, instead of simulants. The detection limits of migration indicated the high sensitivity of the radiometric method.