Fast-food packaging can emit volatile PFAS

By Britt E. Erickson | C&EN | March 29, 2023

Read the full article by Britt E. Erickson (C&EN)

"Compostable fast-food containers, designed to be more environmentally friendly than single-use plastic ones, can release toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the air, according to an analysis of samples from retailers in Toronto (Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett. 2023, DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00926). The results suggest that polymers with fluorinated side chains, which are used to make paper-based food packaging grease resistant, break down over time into volatile fluorotelomer alcohols and fluorotelomer methacrylates.

Researchers screened 42 samples—including molded fiber bowls, burger wrappers, and popcorn bags—for total fluorine content. The molded fiber bowls contained the highest levels. Analysis of eight of the samples revealed up to 14 PFAS in each. The most abundant PFAS in all but one of the eight samples were 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol and 6:2 fluorotelomer methacrylate.

Surprisingly, total PFAS levels dropped by up to 85% after storing the products for two years, says Marta Venier, an environmental chemist at Indiana University and one of the corresponding authors of the work. The researchers attribute the loss to volatilization of fluorotelomer alcohols and other PFAS."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• ChemicalsPolymer
• ProductsFood contact materials
• Environment
• Wildlife
• Affected community
• Health
• Measurement Techniques
• Monitoring Data
• PFAS Uses
• Disposal