Chemical contamination potential of bottle materials

Bottles made of polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinylchloride (PVC) bottles were treated with thirteen common household chemical solutions, including eight pesticides, in order to simulate, consumer abuse of plastic bottles. Five days after immersion in the contaminant, the plastics were detergent washed, filled with water, and stored at room temperature for another six days. The water was analyzed for residual contaminant concentrations. Sensory testing and visual contamination was performed on the contaminated plastics. The tested chemical substances showed to be absorbed and remigrated into the beverage simulant at detectable levels. Contaminants with high octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow) resulted in high residual contamination levels in the beverage simulant. The initial concentration of the active ingredient did not always influence the residual contamination level. The plastics which are commercially used for the production of refillable bottles (PET, PC) showed in general the lowest residual contamination. Toxicological evaluation of the analytical results of contaminant residue remigration give no risk to public health concerns. However, in order to prevent negative effects on product quality such as odour and taste, good manufacturing procedures, including visual and electronic inspection systems, and improvement of the plastic bottles cleaning procedures are required to eliminate abused bottles.