Migration of styrene from polystyrene foam food-contact articles. 1995

T D Lickly, and K M Lehr, and G C Welsh
Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI 48674, USA.

Polystyrene foam is used in many food-contact articles such as plates, cups, bowls, egg cartons, meat trays and hinged 'carryout' containers. In most of these applications the food is in contact with the article for a relatively short period of time at mild temperatures (up to 130 degrees F), or for longer periods of time at refrigerated temperatures (40 degrees F). The extent of migration of residual styrene from foam articles under these conditions is of interest in order to predict potential exposure of consumers to styrene from food-contact polymers. Studies of styrene migration from all polystyrene foam articles except egg cartons were completed using food oil as the simulant. Results showed that the amount of styrene migrating from the various food-contact articles made with thermoformed polystyrene sheet into food oil was proportional to the square root of time of exposure. The mean diffusion coefficients derived from these data, assuming the migration was Fickian in nature, showed a linear relationship between the log of the diffusion coefficient and the inverse of the absolute temperature of exposure from 70 to 150 degrees F (21-66 degrees C). The mean diffusion coefficients ranged from about 4.5E-11 cm2/s at 70 degrees F to 3.4E-9 cm2/s at 150 degrees F. Among the four thermoformed articles exposed to food oil, the diffusion coefficients varied by a factor of four or less at a given temperature. The migration of styrene from egg cartons was examined using conditions simulating 'typical' exposure temperature and time with 8% ethanol as the simulant (31 days at 40 degrees F (4 degrees C)). No migration of styrene was observed under this condition, with a detection limit of < 0.01 micrograms/cm2.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010938 Plant Oils Oils derived from plants or plant products. Oils, Plant,Oils, Vegetable,Plant Oil,Vegetable Oil,Vegetable Oils,Oil, Plant,Oil, Vegetable
D011137 Polystyrenes Polymerized forms of styrene used as a biocompatible material, especially in dentistry. They are thermoplastic and are used as insulators, for injection molding and casting, as sheets, plates, rods, rigid forms and beads. Polystyrol,Polystyrene,Polystyrols
D004058 Diffusion The tendency of a gas or solute to pass from a point of higher pressure or concentration to a point of lower pressure or concentration and to distribute itself throughout the available space. Diffusion, especially FACILITATED DIFFUSION, is a major mechanism of BIOLOGICAL TRANSPORT. Diffusions
D005506 Food Contamination The presence in food of harmful, unpalatable, or otherwise objectionable foreign substances, e.g. chemicals, microorganisms or diluents, before, during, or after processing or storage. Food Adulteration,Adulteration, Food,Adulterations, Food,Contamination, Food,Contaminations, Food,Food Adulterations,Food Contaminations
D000431 Ethanol A clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant. It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as serving as the primary ingredient in ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. Alcohol, Ethyl,Absolute Alcohol,Grain Alcohol,Alcohol, Absolute,Alcohol, Grain,Ethyl Alcohol
D013343 Styrenes Derivatives and polymers of styrene. They are used in the manufacturing of synthetic rubber, plastics, and resins. Some of the polymers form the skeletal structures for ion exchange resin beads.
D020058 Styrene A colorless, toxic liquid with a strong aromatic odor. It is used to make rubbers, polymers and copolymers, and polystyrene plastics. Styrene Monomer,Styrol,Vinylbenzene,Monomer, Styrene

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