Fluorinated Compounds in U.S. Fast Food Packaging

Schaider, Laurel A.; Balan, Simona A.; Blum, Arlene; Andrews, David Q.; Strynar, Mark J.; Dickinson, Margaret E.; Lunderberg, David M.; Lang, Johnsie R.; Peaslee, Graham F.

doi:10.1021/acs.estlett.6b00435

Cited by 620Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchSynthesis and properties of polymersFluorine in Organic Chemistry

Fluorinated Compounds in U.S. Fast Food Packaging

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Schaider, Laurel A., Balan, Simona A., Blum, Arlene, Andrews, David Q., Strynar, Mark J., Dickinson, Margaret E., Lunderberg, David M., Lang, Johnsie R. +1 more·2017·Environmental Science & Technology Letters

DOI 10.1021/acs.estlett.6b00435PMC PMC6104644

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Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are highly persistent synthetic chemicals, some of which have been associated with cancer, developmental toxicity, immunotoxicity, and other health effects. PFASs in grease-resistant food packaging can leach into food and increase dietary exposure. We collected ∼400 samples of food contact papers, paperboard containers, and beverage containers from fast food restaurants throughout the United States and measured total fluorine using particle-induced γ-ray emission (PIGE) spectroscopy. PIGE can rapidly and inexpensively measure total fluorine in solid-phase samples. We found that 46% of food contact papers and 20% of paperboard samples contained detectable fluorine (>16 nmol/cm2). Liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis of a subset of 20 samples found perfluorocarboxylates, perfluorosulfonates, and other known PFASs and/or unidentified polyfluorinated compounds (based on nontargeted analysis). The total peak area for PFASs was higher in 70% of samples (10 of 14) with a total fluorine level of >200 nmol/cm2 compared to six samples with a total fluorine level of <16 nmol/cm2. Samples with high total fluorine levels but low levels of measured PFASs may contain volatile PFASs, PFAS polymers, newer replacement PFASs, or other fluorinated compounds. The prevalence of fluorinated chemicals in fast food packaging demonstrates their potentially significant contribution to dietary PFAS exposure and environmental contamination during production and disposal.

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The homologue pattern of PFASs in cosmetics appears to follow the same trend as treated textiles and papers, where recent studies typically report the highest concentrations and detection frequency for C6 compounds.
“Thus, the homologue pattern of PFASs in cosmetics appear to follow the same trend as treated textiles and papers where recent studies typically report the highest concentrations and detection frequency for C6 compounds.”
From Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and fluorine mass balance in cosmetic products from the Swedish market: implications for environmental emissions and human exposure (2018) · cites this paper as [37]
Early applications of CIC and PIGE in firefighting foams, biota and textiles have revealed that only a small fraction of the organic fluorine content can be accounted for by known PFASs.
“Early applications of CIC and PIGE in reghting foams, biota and textiles have revealed that only a small fraction of the organic uorine content can be accounted for by known PFASs.31,33,37”
From Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and fluorine mass balance in cosmetic products from the Swedish market: implications for environmental emissions and human exposure (2018) · cites this paper as [37]

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Authors: Schaider, L. A., Balan, S. A., Blum, A., Andrews, D. Q., Strynar, M. J., Dickinson, M. E., Lunderberg, D. M., Lang, J. R., & Peaslee, G. F.
Affiliations: Silent Spring Institute (US)
California Department of Toxic Substances Control , , ,
University of California, Berkeley (US)
Environmental Working Group , ,
Environmental Protection Agency (US)
Hope College (US)
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (US)
University of Notre Dame (US)
Corresponding author: Schaider, Laurel A.
ORCID: Schaider, Laurel A.
Blum, Arlene
Andrews, David Q.
Strynar, Mark J.
Lunderberg, David M.
Lang, Johnsie R.
Peaslee, Graham F.
Venue: Environmental Science & Technology Letters
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Published: 2017-02-01
Volume: 4
Issue: 3
Pages: 105-111
ISSN: 2328-8930 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.6b00435
PMC: PMC6104644
OpenAlex: W2585227901
Semantic Scholar: 723d4c04c5ebd4b8c2461029e75ff29d13a24775
Cited by: 620
References: 10
Citations by year: 2026: 70 · 2025: 80 · 2024: 85 · 2023: 91 · 2022: 76 · 2021: 75 · 2020: 64 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 16
FWCI: 22.34
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: hybrid
doi.org
Licence: other-oa
pubs.acs.org/page/policy/authorchoice_termsofuse.html (vor)
Locations: Environmental Science & Technology Letters (publishedVersion, other-oa)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders: National Science Foundation (RUI-1306074)
Bellwether Foundation (NA)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Synthesis and properties of polymers
Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Fluorine in Organic Chemistry
Keywords: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, fast food packaging, food contact materials, dietary exposure, perfluorocarboxylates, beverage containers, non-targeted analysis, environmental contamination

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Fluorinated Compounds in U.S. Fast Food Packaging

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