Migration of Bisphenol A from Polycarbonate Products

Abstract

The migration of bisphenol A from food contact polycarbonate products was investigated by HPLC with a quantitation limit of 0.5ppb. The migration was affected by the test conditions and it increased in the order of water and 4% acetic acid at 60°C, 30min<20% ethanol at 60°C, 30min<water and 4% acetic acid at 95°C, 30min<n-heptane at 25°C, 60min. It decreased sharply after repeated use or when the products were boiled before the tests. Four contravened samples contained 379-599ppm of bisphenol A, but the migration was under 40ppb. Ten commercial products, e. g., infant's tableware, nursing bottles and a measuring cup, contained 5-80ppm and migration was found from only 3 samples at under 5ppb. The migrations of phenol and p-tert-butylphenol from the same samples were also investigated.