Verificação da presença de ftalatos em filmes de policloreto de vinila usados nas embalagens de alimentos.

Abstract

Phthalates are widely used as plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride or PVC which gave this large polymer application in various areas ranging from construction to food packaging. Although they are effective in the function of reduce the stiffness of PVC, plasticizers can migrate added by passive diffusion form polymeric packaging to food and the environment. Among the phthalates widely used as PVC plasticizers, the phthalate, di (2-ethyl hexyl) or DEHP, has been presented as toxic, and restriction object of various sanitary control agencies worldwide. Faced with several studies reporting the DEHP connection with hormonal disorders, male infertility, early puberty in girls, potential carcinogen and hepatotoxicity and the real possibility of migration of phthalate form packaging to the food, the National Health Surveillance Agency, ANVISA, since 1999 and later in 2008 limits the use of DEHP in packaging that come into contact with food. Despite the limitation to the use of DEHP, recent studies show that the indiscriminate use of the additive in food packaging in Brazil continues, what a close look at the authorities for surveillance is necessary in order to avoid exposure of the population to the risk of contamination food by the plasticizer. This study was designed to assess PVC films, for the presence of DEHP in food packaging in the Federal District-DF. Nine samples of professional use were obtained from PVC films directly at points of use in supermarkets and fast food three areas of DF and three samples intended for residential use purchased from supermarkets to assess for the presence of DEHP and confrontation with the current regulatory to check the conformity of packaging. The characterization of samples through the test, spectroscopy Energy Dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy in the region Fourier Transform was made (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Thermogravimetry and Testing of Mechanical Resistance to traction . The results showed that the samples were similar in basic chemical composition and showed similar results in mechanical and colorimetric assays. Spectroscopy in the Infrared Region Fourier Transform indicated bands on the DEHP in all samples, regardless of the collection area or purpose, professional or residential use. DEHP indicative were observed in larger quantities in the residential samples. DEHP findings in all samples contrary to the provisions of normative established by ANVISA which limits the use of DEHP in 1.5 mg / kg in non-fatty food packaging and veto the possibility of use in fatty food packaging. The study concludes that the maturing of normative knowledge did not lead to different results compared to similar studies performed shortly after the publication of standards of DEHP use limitation. The results state that the plasticizer derived from oil is still present indiscriminately in food packaging and the consumer is subject to known risks inherent exposure to the plasticizer DEHP. It is most necessary control and rigorous supervision of food packaging in order to minimize the deleterious health effects of consumers of this type of food.