Abstract
A set of 132 packaging materials based on paper, commonly used in the Czech Republic for food products packaging, was tested as regards the occurrence of contaminants. A number of 101 extractible substances were identified and the levels of 68 compounds, including residues from paper pulp processing (e. g. processing aids), substances originating from printing inks or adhesives (photoinitiators, plasticizers, solvents), impregnation and coating (solvents, hydrocarbons) in all the tested materials were quantified using gas and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry techniques.
The results indicated that phthalate plasticizers, anthraquinone, aromatic hydrocarbons and photoinitiators formed the most frequent group of xenobiotics in paper. The highest content in tested papers was determined for dibutyl phthalate (628 mg.kg(-1)), benzophenone (369 mg.kg(-1)) and diisobutyl phthalate (108 mg.kg(-1)).
Most of the contaminants in paper packaging materials originated from materials used for modification of functional properties (water-proof or fat-proof adjustment, coating, lamination with polymer films, etc.) and/or residues from recycled pulp.