Fast and simple determination and exposure assessment of bisphenol A, phenol, p-tert-butylphenol, and diphenylcarbonate transferred from polycarbonate food-contact materials to food simulants

Polycarbonate (PC) plastics find extensive use in baby bottles, food storage containers, and various kitchen items. Possibly hazardous chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA), phenol, p-tert-butylphenol (TBP), and diphenylcarbonate (DPC), are source materials or by-products from PC production. Therefore, a fast and simple analytical method was developed to determine and assess the exposure of BPA, phenol, TBP, and DPC transferred from PC food-contact materials to four different food simulants (water, 4% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, and n-heptane) at different temperatures. The method was validated in terms of limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), recovery, and precision for the detection of BPA, phenol, and TBP using HPLC-FLD and of DPC using HPLC-UV. BPA, phenol, TBP, and DPC concentrations transferred from 200 PC samples to food simulants were determined. The highest migration levels of BPA (54.3 μg L−1) and phenol (43.8 μg L−1) were found in 50% ethanol at 70 °C. TBP did not migrate to any simulant. DPC did not show any migration from PC samples into water and only migrated from a cup to 4% acetic acid at 70 °C and 100 °C, whereas migration occurred from several cups, ladles, spoons, and tongs to 50% ethanol and to n-heptane at 25 °C. Food simulants and temperature were the crucial factors for the migration of BPA and phenol from PC samples. Estimated daily intakes (EDIs), based on food consumption and food-type distribution factors, for BPA, phenol, and DPC were calculated to be 0.007, 0.001, and 2.5 × 10−4 μg kg−1 bw day−1, respectively. •Polycarbonate baby bottles and kitchen items were examined.•A migration test for detection of BPA, phenol, TBP, and DPC was developed.•Four different types of food simulants were used for the migration test.•Exposure was assessed using food consumption and food-type distribution factors.