NBS

PUBLICATIONS

NBSIR 81-2314

Migration of Low Molecular

Weight Additives in Polymers

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Bureau of Standards

Center for Materials Science

Polymer Science and Standards Division

Washington, DC 20234

Semi-Annual Report for the Period

October 1, 1980 - March 31, 1981

Issued September 1981

100

.056

31-2314

1931

Prepared for Bureau of Foods

Food and Drug Administration

Washington, DC 20201

riATlOlliLl^ VOSKAV

OV rrAKDA'KIXi NBSIR 81-2314 OCtTz 1982

MIGRATION OF LOW MOLECULAR

WEIGHT ADDITIVES IN POLYMERS

/•;g/

L. E. Smith, S. S. Chang, and

G. A. Senich

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Bureau of Standards

Center for Materials Science

Polymer Science and Standards Division

Washington, DC 20234

Semi-Annual Report for the Period

October 1, 1980 - March 31, 1981

Issued September 1981

Prepared for Bureau of Foods

Food and Drug Administration

Washington, DC 20201

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Malcolm Baldrige, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Director

Migration of Low Molecular Weight Additives in Polymers

Semiannual Report for the Period:

October 1, 1980 - March 31, 1981

L. E. Smith, S. S. Chang, and G. A. Senich

Polymer Science and Standards Division

April 29, 1981

This is a progress report of continuing work for the internal uses of a sponsoring agency. The results are incomplete and the conclusions are necessarily tentative. Any or all of the material in this report may be

modified before the final report is issued.
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Table of Contents

Summary 1

I. Extraction of Polyethylene with Oil Simulating Solvents 3

A. Comparison of n-Octanol and Ethanol

Extractions 3

B. Comparison of Synthetic Triglyceride Mixture

HB307 to Corn Oil 7

C. Effects of 5% Water on Ethanol Extractions 13

II. Migration of BHT from Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymers 21

III. Migration of VCM from PVC 27

IV. Review of the Migration of Organotin Compounds from PVC 29

1

Summary

In the first half of the FY81 , several new areas were investigated. In

testing and searching for oil -simulating solvents, we have studied the

extraction behavior of (a) n-octanol, an extracting solvent used widely in

biological and environmental studies, (b) HB307, a synthetic triglyceride

mixture used widely in Europe as food-oil simulant and (c) 95X ethanol, to

assess the effect of S% water on the extractability of anhydrous ethanol.

Antioxidant migration in two (ethylene-vinyl acetate) copolymers having vinyl

acetate contents of 5% and 13% is being investigated for comparison with the

polyolefin data. We are also beginning investigations of vinyl chloride

migration from poly(vinylchToride) . The following summarizes some preliminary

conclusions from these studies.

n-Octanol vs. Ethanol

Diffusion coefficients of the three migrants from branched polyethylene

into n-octanol are about the same or slightly greater than those into ethanol

at both 30 and 60®C. However, for migration of SHT from linear polyethylene,

the diffusion coefficients may be 2 to 4- times higher for extractions with noctanol compared to ethanol.

HB307 vs. Ethanol or other Triglycerides

Diffusion coefficients of the three migrants mentioned above were

measured from branched polyethylene into HB307, a synthetic triglyceride

mixture, at 40 and 60°C. The diffusion coefficients are found to be about

equal to those for extractions into ethanol or other triglycerides, as expected

95% Ethanol vs. Anhydrous Ethanol

The diffusion coefficients into 95% ethanol are generally reduced by a

factor of 2/3 to 1/2 of those into anhydrous ethanol. However, the amount

extractable by 95% ethanol is more strongly governed by a change in the

partition coefficient, as a result of reduced solubility of some of the

migrants such as n-C32^gg in 95% ethanol.
BHT from Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymers

Diffusion coefficient measurements of BHT from (ethylene-5% vinyl acetate)

copolymer are currently in progress. In n-heptane, the diffusivity of BHT in

the copolymer is only slightly higher than in branched polyethylene. However,

at 60°C the diffusion coefficients into ethanol and corn oil are about three

times greater than those for branched polyethylene extractions.
3

Extractiorr of Polyethylene with Qil Simulating Solvents

A. Comparison of n-Octanol and Ethanol Extractions

n-Octanol has been used widely in biological and environmental studies

as an extracting solvent. We have studied the migration behavior of n-

*'18^38* ^"^32^66* linear and branched polyethyl enes into noctanol at 30 and 60°C. The results are compared with those from ethanol

extractions in Table 1 and summarized in Figure 1.

n-Octanol generally behaves as a slightly accelerating solvent for all

three migrants, differing from results for anhydrous ethanol by a factor of

less than 1.3. Only in the case of BHT migration from LPE is a greater

accelerating factor of 3 to 4- evident^ The large increase in the diffusion

coefficient in this case may be due to the increased mobility of degraded

fragments from BHT in this particular sample. This speculation is impossible

to confirm without performing a full analysis.

In the case of migration, where partition coefficients are

measureable in both ethanol and n-octanol extractions, the partition coefficients

for n-octanol are nearly twice those of ethanol.

Thus, n-octanol is a slightly accelerating solvent when compared to

ethanol and also allows a larger amount of oligomer to be extracted at

equilibrium.
4

Table 1 Additive Migration into Ethanol and n-Octanol

2 -1

D,u(n s

Sample Code Polymer Migrant

Ethanol

30®C 60®C

n-Octanol

30®C 60^C

1,2 LPE CIS 0.018

0.52

0.022

0.70

7,9 BPE CIS 0.061

3.0

0.065

3.6

16 BPE C32 0.29 0.35

19 LPE C32 0.063 0.047

22 LPE BHT 0.0019

0.047

0.0087

0.14

25 BPE BHT 0.038 0.045

1.0 1.3
Figure

1,

Cpmpdrison

of

Plffysion

Coefficients

in

n-Oetanol

§nti

fthanol

<9

(9 9

S/JP ‘(H0^30)Q

3

D(ftOH)|

cn2/?
6

B. Comparison of Synthetic Triglyceride Mixture HB307 to Corn Oil

The synthetic triglyceride mixture HB307 has been used quite widely in

some European laboratories as a food-oil simulant for extraction purposes.

The particular sample of HB307 received by us differs slightly from the

"typical" melting point of 28®C. It melts completely at 31-34°C as determined

by differential scanning calorimetry. Because of the high melting point,

extractions of the three migrants (n-C-igH^g, '^“^32

^ 66 ’ branched

polyethylene (sample codes 9, 16 and 25) with HB307 were performed at 40 and

60®C.

The extraction data for HB307 at 60°C are shown in Figure 2 together

with the corresponding corn oil data obtained previously and normalized to

the same thickness. The results for branched polyethylene extractions by

both HB307 and corn oil are summarized in Table 2. It can be seen that for

n-CigHog the diffusion coefficients into HB307 are slightly lower than those

into corn oil. For both n-CggHgg and BHT however, diffusion coefficients

into HB307 are slightly higher than those into corn oil. In all the cases

studied, the change in diffusion coefficient due to a change from corn oil to

HB307 is less than a factor of 1.5.

The activation energies of the oligomers migrating from branched polyethylene

into either corn oil or HB3Q7 are in better agreement than the diffusion

coefficients themselves as indicated in Table 3. The diffusion coefficients

of i^"*^ 32^55 the same temperature variation regardless of whether corn

oil or HB307 is used as the solvent. The extraction of by trioctanoin

also follows the same course. This is illustrated in Figure 3 for the extraction

of branched polyethylene (sample 25) by the three different triglycerides.

The activation energies for BHT and n-C-jgHgg extracted by corn oil and HB307

are also quite similar.

It may be concluded that the diffusion coefficients determined by extracting

with all liquid triglycerides are identical well within a factor of 1.5 and

the activation energies are probably within a factor of 1.3.
7

Table 2

Diffusion Coefficients of Migrants fronr

Branched Polyethylene

2 -1

D,uni s

Solvent

Polymer Code

’*'s*,jli grant

9

1 % n-C^gH^g

IB

}% n-CggHgg

25

45„^BHT

ppm

Corn Oil 30 0.17 0.00034 0.029

HB307 40 0J8 0.0037 0.14

Corn Oil 60 3.4 0.20 0.33

HB307 60 Z.5 0.29 0.96
Table 3

Activation Energies for Migration from Branched Polyethylene

E^ct.KJmoT’

25

45 ppm E

94

HB307 84
, 9

t/ut2i

h/cntjt

Flgiire

2

^
CONPARISOH

OF

BHT

HICRATIOH

FRON

BRANCHED

POLYETHYLENE

into

corh

oil O

and

HB3«rA

](T

U>-

N. z: o

t

t-'LtZf

h-'cnt?
PIFfU^ION

COFFFICIFHT8

OF

n-C;}2H66

IH

TPICLYCERIPES

n

I

Off

I


^

cn

I

I

CM

IC9.

N.

O sc\i\ w

Figure
C. Effect of 5% Water on Ethanol Extractions

Anhydrous ethanol left exposed to the atmosphere will absorb moisture

and eventually reach a constant boiling composition of 95% ethanol and

5% water. It is important to assess the influence of this amount of

water in ethanol on additive migration into ethanol.

The results presented in Tables 4 and 5 and shown in Figures 4 and

5 indicate that the diffusion coefficients and partition coefficients

for the migration of lower molecular weight oligomers, such as n-C-igH^g,

are little affected by the presence of 5% water in ethanol. However,

for n-CggHgg and BHT the diffusion coefficients are reduced by nearly

one-half. This is consistent with the general conclusions in Section VI

of the previous annual report, NBSIR 81-2264. Correlations developed

there indicate that an increase in the extracting solvent polarity

causes a greater reduction in the diffusivity of migrants with a relatively

low diffusion coefficient in the polymer ii.e. n-CggHgg) compared to

those with higher diffusion coefficients (i.e. n-C^gHgg). The partition

coefficients are also modified by the presence of 5% water, hence the

total level of migrant extractable at equilibrium will be rather different.

This is a direct result of the change in the solubilities of these

migrants in the solvents considered. Such solubility changes can be

rather substantial, for example the solubility of n-C-jgHgg in ethanolwater mixtures decreases by about six orders of magnitude as the water

content increases from zero to 100% (Figure E5 of NBSIR 80-1999, the

FY79 Annual Report). The effect of water in ethanol on the solubility

of ^”^32*^66’ extremely hydrophobic migrant, may be even more pronounced.

We are currently studying the solubility of the three migrants in

95% ethanol. The exact value of the solubility of BHT may be somewhat

difficult to assess since BHT degrades in solution over the extended
period of time required for the determination. Nevertheless, we hope to

gain information about the relative solubility of BHT in anhydrous and

95% ethanol. The partition coefficients for BHT in 95% ethanol are

simply an indication of the possible existence of partitioning rather

than true values due to the combined effects of BHT decomposition during

the extraction process, non-uniform distribution of BHT, and BHT grafted

to the polymer sample during the molding process.
u

Table 4

Diffusion Coefficients of Migrants from Branched Polyethylene into

Anhydrous Ethanol and 95% Ethanol

2 -1

D,um s

Sample Code Migrant

Anhydrous

30°C

Ethanol

60°C

95%

30®C

Ethanol

60®C

9 CIS 0.06T

3.0

0.050

2.5

16 C32 0.00015

0.29

0.000089

0.16

25 BHT 0.038 0.020

1.0 0.67
Table 5

Partition Coefficients of Migrants between Anhydrous Ethanol

or 95% Ethanol and Branched Polyethylene

Partition Coefficient

(k * Cs/Cp)

Mi grant Anhydrous 95%

in Branched Polyethylene Ethanol Ethanol

3Q®C 60°C 3Q'’C 60®C

1% n-C^gH^g - >0.045

1% n-Cg^Hgg 0.004 >0.00022

0.033 0.006

0.01% BHT - ^0.02

'>^0.02

*For most extractions with 95% ethanol, the experiments have been carried

to near completion but not quite to the. point of equilibrium partitioning.

The partition coefficient indicated in this column is therefore the

lower-bound value.
COMPARISON

OF

n-C18H38

HIGRATIQH

FROM

BRANCHED

POLYETHYLENE ^

INTO

ETHANOL A

AND

9SS(

ETHANOL

<>P

Tinci

Hour*
COnPARISOH

OF

n-C32H66

HICRATIOH

FRON

BRAHCHEO

FOLYETHyLEME

.„

into

ETH(^hol

a

and

9i\

ethanol

Op

17

CV4

E I i

Of

Tintf

Hourf

Figure

4B
COHPARISON

OF

BHT

HIGRATION

FROM

BRANCHED

POLYETHYLENE

.„

INTO

ethanol

a

and

9SS(

ETHANOL

OQ

V ac o

Tinci

Hourf
,

Flyure

5.

Foiiip^rlson

of

Diffusion

Coefficients

in

Fthdno)

dnd

95%

Fthanol

1?

I

3/ 013 *(H0a3%S6)a

"zr

P(EtOH)f

cn2/s
20

II. Migration of BHT from Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymers

Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer of low vinyl acetate content is being

used in increasing quantities as a food contact polymer. We are studying the

migration behavior of the antioxidant BHT in this copolymer. The results are

summarized in Table 6 and compared with the corresponding migration behavior

in branched polyethylene in Figures 6A, B, and C and in Table 7.

BHT has a higher mobility in the (ethylene 5% vinyl acetate) copolymer

than in branched polyethylene. The effect is more pronounced at lower

values of the diffusion coefficient. For extractions by n-heptane there is

only a 50% increase in the diffusion coefficient in E5%VA when compared to

the BPE valve. Ethanol appears to be a stronger accelerating solvent compared

to corn oil in the case of E5%VA (with an increase in the diffusion coefficient

of about 50%) than for BPE (with an increase in the diffusion coefficient of

about 20%).

We are currently extending these experiments to lower temperatures and

to a copolymer with 13% vinyl acetate content.
Table

Suniniary

Qf

Migration

Pata

of

PHT

froifi

ftbylene-53^

XN

f I f UitMitu wrwfw

•

» • •

CD9CU

» c * » » CU<M^

S'

(MCM 04

mr fofnm

• » Sr

3J U

wfom

009

I—cy

>> ozo» O OOiZ

ca
22

Table 7

Comparison of Migration of BHT from Branched Polyethylene and fronr

(Ethylene - S% Vinyl Acetate) Copolymer at 60°C

D,um^s”^

BPE E5%VA

Corn Oil 0.8 2.3

Ethanol 1.0 3.7

n-Heptane 37 57
23

WT

X. o

Uifit

h<'cnt2
2^.

cu

-j

Figure

6B
25

m

o>

t/Ut2*

h/cnt2
26

III. Migration of VCM from PVC

The automatic head-space gas chromatograph, Perkin-Elmer Model F45,

arrived in early April and is now awaiting set up and testing by the vendor

before our acceptance is finalized.

Our first step will be to establish and calibrate the sensitivity of

this instrument by using a series of standard solutions. The purported 2-3

order of magnitude increase in sensitivity of the electron capture detector

(ECD) to VCM by the use of carrier gas containing up to SOppm nitrous oxide

will be studied. The ECD sensitivity as a function of nitrous oxide concentration

is of major importance since a determination of the kinetics of VCM migration

at very low levels is strongly tied to the stability of the sensitivity

enhancement in the nitrous oxide concentration range of concern.

Extraction experiments may be performed on both powdered samples and

molded plaques. The powdered sample may not yield good kinetic data because

the sample is not monodis perse but has a particle size distribution. However,

the submicron size particles may be useful for studying the equilibrium or

partitioning properties that are very important in determining the final

amount of migration.

Kinetic data on VCM migration from glassy PVC may be provided by studying

the molded plaques. Relatively high temperatures are needed to mold rigid

PVC and decomposition of the polymer can be detected at temperatures above

100®C. Although the main degradation product is hydrogen chloride, a trace

amount of vinyl chloride may also be produced. We hope to overcome this

problem by analyzing the total VCM content in the plaque before the extraction

experiment and by studying or minimizing the effect of HCl on the determination

of VCM.
Vie expect to have completed sufficient preliminary studies in this

fiscal year to enable us to assess the reliability of the low level VCM

migration studies.
IV. Review of the Migration of Organotin Compounds from PVC

Incorporation of a heat stabilizing material into poly(vinyl chloride)

is necessary in order to limit thermal degradation and prevent discoloration

at the high temperatures at which the PVC melt must be processed. These

stabilizers are thought to react with HCl evolved from the polymer and prevent

it from causing further degradation. The chemical reaction mechanisms underlying

the stabilizing ability of the organotins in PVC have been reviewed in detail

elsewhere (Ayrey and Poller, 1980). Another recent review on the performance

of tin stabilizers under actual processing conditions is available (Cooray

and Scott, 1980).

Two organotin stabilizers have been approved by FDA (Food and Food

Products Regulations 121.2602, 1/20/68 and 178.2650, 1/16/75) for food packaging

applications, di-n-octyltin-bis (2-ethyl hexyl thioglycolate) (I), and di-noctyltin maleate polymer (II). These stabilizers, but primarily I, have been

the subjects of numerous migration studies, with both foods and food simulants

used as the extracting medium for stabilized, rigid PVC. Long term migration

studies of I from PVC bottles into liquid foods have been conducted (Carr,

1969) and the concentration extracted after two months at 30®C given. The

quantity of tin extracted from the bottles as organotin was often found to be

comparable to the amount of "natural tin" or the background level of tin in

the foods before extraction, indicating the importance of taking this factor

into account to correct experimental total tin determinations. After six

months, the amount of I migrating from PVC bottles into sunflower oil was

found to be less than or equal to 2 ppm (Woggon et al., 1969). Beer stored

in PVC bottles at 20®C for eight months contained 0.01 mg I/l (Koch and

Figge, 1971). Organotin stabilizers were readily extracted from PVC food

containers by olive oil, orange or lemon soft drink concentrate, and aqueous

ethanol (Brighton, 1968). Migration of I and II into a variety of liquid
29

foods has been studied at 57®C for eight weeks (Pinkasavage, 1970). Levels

of organotins in these materials ranged from 0.01 - 0.24 ug organotin/g food.

No additional changes in the level of migration were found when the study was

extended at room temperature to a full year in duration.

Several studies have been conducted with food simulating solvents as the

extracting medium. A brief review on the use of food simulating solvents in

determining migration of di octyl tin stabilizers from PVC is available ('Keller

et al., 1975). Impact resistant PVC containing about 1% I was extracted with

seven simulants (Dostal, 1980). The stabilizer was eluted over the range

2

0.004 - 0.045 mg/dm polymer, the latter value for extraction with heptane.

Studies of extraction kinetics comparing liquid foods to their corresponding

simulating solvents have been reported (Keller et al., 1974). Fne total

amount of stabilizer extracted varied from 0.06 ug I/g for type II foods to

0.44 ug I/g for type V foods. Stabilizer I could be readily detected in

heptane and other organic solvents used to extract rigid PVC but could not be

detected in coconut oil, triacetin, or triglyceride mixtures (Bergner and

Berg, 1972). Radiolabeled stabilizers have also been studied. A determination

of the total amount of all components migrating,, so-called "global migration",

has been made for rigid PVC stabilized with I (Figge, 1976). The far simulant

14

HB307- C was used in these extractions. The total quantity of migrants

extracted is equal to the weight lost by the polymer during storage in the

simulant after correcting for the amount of simulant absorbed. The radiolabeled

stabilizers methyl tin- tri- (III), dimethyl tin-di- (IV), and trimethyl tinthioglycolic acid-2-ethyl hexyl ester (V), ^^C-labeled in both the methyltin

or thioglycolate moiety, have been extracted with HB307 (Figge, 1975). The

total amount of intact stabilizer migrating into fat-containing foods was

found to be <1 ng 1 1 I/g, 73 ng IV/g, and 39 ng V/g.

Typical food-grade PVC formulations include not only a staoilizer but

also processing aids, lubricants, and colorants. Imoact modifiers and plasticizers

are often added. These materials can each be present at levels of 1-10" by
weight of the total molding compound. The influence of these additional

components on stabilizer migration has been studied by several investigators.

The chemical nature of organotin stabilizers was reported to have little

effect on their migration from compounded PVC into water (Sheftel, 1978).

The migration of dibutyl tin-bis(isoctyl thioglycolate) (VI) stabilizer into

water was found to increase as stabilizer and plasticizer (dioctyl phthalate)

content increased. A study on the influence of epoxidized soybean oil, a

lubricant, on the migration of dioctyltin and dibutyltin compounds into 50%

ethanol, 5% acetic acid, and sunflower oil at 45®C for ten days concluded

that lubricant concentrations below 3% have no effect on stabilizer migration

(Woggon et al . , 1967). Global migration from rigid PVC into water, 10%

aqueous ethanol, and 3% acetic acid was found to be unaffected by the presence

of up to 11% of this lubricant or by the addition of I (Thomas, 1980).

Detection of tin in foods is typically accomplished by oxidative destruction

of the food with a nitric and sulfuric acid mixture followed by addition of

HBr and HCl to form a tin halide which is then distilled and its concentration

determined quantitatively by colorimetry. The distillation step can be

omitted when food simulants are used. The method is sensitive to 5-7 ug tin,

depending on whether dithiol or pyrocatechol violet is used as the reagent in

colorimetric determinations. An anodic stripping method for determination of

organotin compounds has also been described and an analytical sche.me proposed

for detection of these compounds and their decomposition products migrating

from PVC (Woggon, et al. 1972). Radiolabeled stabilizer compounds have been

used successfully as a sensitive method for quantifying migration, as discussed

previously. Flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy (AA) has also been used

in a recent study of organotins extracted from PVC by water and edible oils

(Taleb et al., 1979). The water extracts were injected directly while the

oil samples required dilution with cyclohexane. The limit of detection was

reported to be 1.3 ug Sn/g in PVC and approximately 10 ng Sn/g in the simulants.
I AA has been employed to detect octyl tins extracted by water from PVC pipe

(Dietr et al., 1979). Their quantitative analysis of tin was complicated by

adsorption of extracted tin and precipitation of insoluble tin compounds.

The procedure was modified by acidifying the solutions with concentrated HCl

before AA analysis, which increased the tin level in solution by a factor of

eight.

There is a lack of a consensus in the organotin migration literature on

two issues: whether the whole stabilizers or their degradation products

migrate into simulating solvents and the source of the stabilizer available

for extraction. On the question of stabilizer degradation, the undegraded

organotin compound was found to migrate from PVC into hexane and lipid based

extractants while the major component migrating into aqueous extractants weis

an organotin oxide in the form of the cyclic trimer, (R2

SnO)

2

» with minor

amounts of the undegraded compound and an alcohol form, R

2

Sn( 0H) 2

» also

thought to be present (Yen, 1970). Migration- of di-n-octyltin esters and

other organotins into aqueous and fatty foods has been studied (Woggon, et

al. 1971). No chemical change in the octyl tins was evident while for the

other organotins studied mainly decomposition products were found to have

been extracted. Experiments with I, radiolabeled at the ester or n-octyl

group, migrating into edible oils showed that the stabilizer migrates either

undegraded from rigid PVC or, following its hydrolysis, into two moieties

which migrate at the same rate (Seidler et. al., 1971). The same material

similarly radiolabeled has been the object of another study involving migration

into edible oils and HB307 (Figge and Zeman, 1973). They concluded that the

stabilizer and its decomposition products di-n-octyltin di chloride (VII) and

oxide (VIII), 3-ethylhexyl thioglycolate (IX), and their decomposition products

all migrate from PVC into fat-containing foods. In addition, free VIII was

thought to form cyclic trimer and migrate into aqueous media. Further studies

with this radiolabeled stabilizer (Figge et al .

,

1979) showed that it did not
migrate intact but VII and bis(2-ethylhexyloxycarbony1methyl ) disulfide

(X), the dimer of IX, could be found in small amounts in aqueous or fat

simulants. The quantities migrating (in yg/dm polymer) for ten days at 40®C

were given as follows: 0.04-0.17 VII and 0.14-0.47 X into water and 3% acetic

acid, 0.50-2.12 VII and 0.51-0.99 X into HB307 and olive oil, and 0.88-5.48

VII and 3.63-3.81 X into heptane. If the stabilizers II, III, and IV discussed

previously were transformed into the corresponding methyltin chlorides and

thioglycolates before or during migration, their concentration in fatcontaining foods has been determined to be 0.5, 29, and 13 ng/g for the

methyltin chlorides of II through IV, respectively (Figge, 1975). No definite

conclusions can be drawn on the chemical nature of the migrating species of

stabilizer I from the available literature.

Several studies present evidence that organotin stabilizers are extracted

primarily from the surface of rigid PVC and not from bulk polymer as is

normally assumed. A rapid initial migration into heptane and 95% ethanol

followed by a period of further migration at a decreased rate was evident for

samples containing 2% stabilizer (Downes and Gilbert, 1975, Downes, 1972).

The initial amount of migration was greatly retarded when the PVC surface was

cleaned with heptane prior to extraction. If the polymer was aged for two

weeks following the surface cleaning, the retardation of migration was no

longer observed upon extraction. A study on migration of decomposition

products of I into edible oils and HB307 described previously concluded that

since PVC cannot be swelled by these liquids, stabilizers within the polymer

cannot migrate from the samples and only free surface stabilizer is available

for extraction (Figge and Zeman, 1973). This point was amplified in a later

study (Figge et al .

,

1979). Stabilizer I, some IX, and a trace of X could be

found in the bulk polymer while only decomposition products VII and X could

be identified on its surface. The latter two compounds were the species

determined to have been extracted by the simulating solvents. These PVC
33

adsorption of extracted tin and precipitation of insoluble tin compounds.

The procedure was modified by acidifying the solutions with concentrated HCT

before AA analysis, which increased the tin level in solution by a factor of

eight.

There- is a lack of a consensus in the organotin migration literature on

two issues: whether the- whole stabilizers or their degradation products

migrate into simulating solvents and the source of the stabilizer available

for extraction. On the question of stabilizer degradation, the undegraded

organotin compound was found to migrate from PVC into hexane and lipid based

extractants while the major component migrating into aqueous extractants was

an organotin oxide in the form of the cyclic trimer, (R^SnO)^, with minor

amounts of the undegraded compound and an alcohol form, R

2

Sn(QH)

2

, also

thought to be present (Yen, 1970). Migration of di-n-octyltin esters and

other organotins into aqueous and fatty foods has been studied (Woggon, et al

.

1971). No chemical change in the octyltins was evident while for the other

organotins studied mainly decomposition products were found to have been

extracted. Experiments with I, radiolabeled at the ester or n-octyl group,

migrating into edible oils showed that the stabilizer migrates either undegraded

from rigid PVC or, following its hydrolysis, into two moieties which migrate

at the same rate (Seidler et. al., 1971). The same material similarly radiolabeled

has been the object of another study involving migration into edible oils and

HB3Q7 (Figge and Zeman, 1973). They concluded that the stabilizer and its

decomposition products di-n-octyltin dichloride (VII) and oxide (VIII), Zethylhexyl thioglycolate (.IX), and their decomposition products all migrate

from PVC into fat-containing foods. In addition, free VIII was thought to

form cyclic trimer and migrate into aqueous media. Further studies with this

radiolabeled stabilizer (.Figge et al .

,

1979) showed that it did not migrate

intact but VII and bis(Z-ethylhexyloxycarbonylmethyl )disulfide (X), the dimer
34

of IX, could be found in small amounts in aqueous or fat simulants. The

quantities migrating (in ug/dm polymer) for ten days at 40°C were given as

follows: 0.04-0.17 VII and 0.14-0.47 X into water and 3 % acetic acid, 0.50-

2.12 VII and 0.51-0.99 X into HB307 and olive oil, and 0.88-5.48 VII and

3.63-3.81 X into heptane. If the stabilizers II, III, and IV discussed

previously were transformed into the corresponding methyl tin chlorides and

thioglycolates before or during migration, their concentration in fatcontaining foods has been determined to be 0.5, 29, and 13 ng/g for the

methyl tin chlorides of II through IV, respectively (Figge, 1975). No definite

conclusions can be drawn on the chemical nature of the migrating species of

stabilizer I from the available literature.

Several studies present evidence that organotin stabilizers are extracted

primarily from the surface of rigid PVC and not from bulk polymer as is

normally assumed. A rapid initial migration into heptane and 95% ethanol

followed by a period of further migration at a decreased rate was evident for

samples containing 2% stabilizer (Downes and Gilbert, 1975, Downes, 1972).

The initial amount of migration was greatly retarded when the PVC surface was

cleaned with heptane prior to extraction. If the polymer was aged for two

weeks following the surface cleaning, the retardation of migration was no

longer observed upon extraction. A study on migration of decomposition

products of I into edible oils and HB3Q7 described previously concluded that

since PVC cannot be swelled by these liquids, stabilizers within the polymer

cannot migrate from the samples and only free surface stabilizer is available

for extraction (Figge and Zeman, 1973). This point was amplified in a later

study (Figge et al., 1979). Stabilizer I, some IX, and a trace of X could be

found in the bulk polymer while only decomposition products VII and X could

be identified on its surface. The latter two compounds were the species

determined to have been extracted by the simulating solvents. These PVC
35

samples also showed a maximum amount of migration in the first aliquot of extracting solvent during long term extractions at 40®C with both HB307 and

water. An additional complication could arise if some of the stabilizer,

either on the surface or in the bulk material, is not free to migrate but has

reacted with polymer molecules during melt processing of the material and

become chemically bound to the PVC. This possibility has been mentioned

previously but not thoroughly explored.
Bibliography of Organotin Migration from

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)

1. Ayrey, G. ; Poller, R. C., “Organotin Stabilizers for Polyvinyl Chloride",

In “Developments in Polymer Stabilization - 2", 6. Scott, Ed., Applied

Science Publishers Ltd., London, 1980, pp. 1-52.

2. Bergner, K. G.; Berg, H., “Migration of Additives from Plastics in

Triglycerides Compared with Their Extractibi 1 ity by Organic Solvents"

Deut. Lebensm. Rundsch. , 68_, 2828, 1972. (German)

CA77163112

3. Brighton, C. A., “Extractabi 1 ity of Additives from PVC Compounds"

Plast. Polym., 36, 54954, 1968.

CA7097679

4. Carr, H. G. , “Interaction Between PVC Bottles and Liquid Foods"

Soc. Plast. Eng. J., 25 (10), 724, 1969.

CA7241901

5. Carr, H. G. , “Analytical and Other Changes in Liquid Foods Packed in

Octyl tinStabili zed PVC Bottles", Soc. Plast. Eng., Tech. Pap.,

15, 2437, 1969.

CA71 122465

6. Cooray, B. B. ; Scott, G., “The Role of Tin Stabilizers on the Processing

and Service Performance of PVC", In “Developments in Polymer Stabilization

2", G. Scott, Ed., Applied Science Publishers Ltd., London, 1980,

pp. 53-88.

7. Dietz, G, R. ; Banzer, J. D.; Miller, E. M. , “Water Extraction of

Additives from PVC Pipe", J. Vinyl Technol., 1, 1613, 1979.

CA93221442

8. Dostal , H., “Extractibi 1 ity of Stabilizer Sn 831 from PVC into Model

Liquids", Cesk. Hyg., 21, 2832, 1980. (Slovak)

CA9324604

9.

' Downes, T. W. ; Gilbert, S. G. , “Effect of Surface Treatments on the

Migration of Organotin Stabilizer from PVC Films to Contacting

Liquid Media", Dtsch. Lebensm. Rundsch. , 7J_, 4225, 1975.

CA8460365

10. Downes, T. W. , “Mechanism of the Migration of Organotin Stabilizer from

PVC into Contacting Media", State Univ. New Jersey, New Brunswick,

N. J., Dissertation, 1972.

CA78125073 (Diss. Abstr. Int. B 1973, 33_ (8), 3702)

11. Figge, K. ; Freytag, W. ; Bieber, W. D., “Migration of Decomposition

Products of an nOctyltin Stabilizer from Different Rigid PVC

Types into Food Models", Dtsch. Lebensm. Rundsch. , T^, 33345,

1979. (German)

CA921 09249
37

12. Figge, K. , "Radioanalytic Method for Determining the Passage of Packing

Ingredients into Foods", J. Radioanal. Chem. , 315-43, 1976. (German)

CA85-121891

13. Figge, K. , "Migration of Methyltin Thioglycolic Acid Esters from

Rigid PVC Packagings into Fat-Contsining Foods", Verpack-Rundsch

,

28 (8), 59-63, 1975. (German)

CA84-15753

14. Figge, K. ; Zeman, A., "Migration of Tin Stabilizers from Unplasticized

PVC Film into Fat-Containing Foods. X-ray Photoelectron-Spectroscopic

and Radi oanalyti cal Examination of PVC Surfaces", Kunststoffe,

63 , 543-50, 1973. (German)

CA80-13741

15. Keller, A^ A.; Sheldon, A. W.; Simmons, I. L., "Fast Extraction

Tests for Food-Grade PVC", Mod- Packag. , ^

(8), 42-4, 1975.

CA83-1 76739

16. Keller, A. A.; Sheldon, A. W.; Sinmons, I. L. , "Accelerated Extraction

Tests for Food-Grade Octyltin Stabilized PVC", Soc. Plast. Eng.,

Tech. Pap.. 20, 514-17, 1974.

CA81 -134681

17. Koch, J.; Figge, K. , "Migration of Tin Stabilizers from PVC Bottles

into Beer", Z. Lebensm.-Unters.-Forsch. , 147 , 8-10, 1971. (German)

CA75-1 39387

18. Pinkasavage, W. P., "Federal Regulatory Requirements for Octyl tinStabilized PVC in Food Packaging", Soc. Plast. Eng., Tech. Pap.,

Reg. Tech. Conf., Palisades Sect., (.Oct. 27-28), 6 pp., 1970.

CA74-75318

19. Seidler, H. ; Haertiq, M.; Woggon, H.; Uhde, W.-J., "Examinations on the Migration of u*^C) -2- Ethyl -Hexyl Ester of Di-n-Octyl Tin

Dithioglycolic Acid (Stabilizer OTS 15) From Hard PVC into Edible

Oil", Nahrung, 15, 187-90, 1971. (German)

CA75-128128

20. Sheftel , V. 0., "Effect of the Chemical Composition of Plastics on the

Migration Rate of Their Components into Liquid Media", Plast. Massy,

3, 51-3, 1978. (Russian)

CA89- 164323

21. Sheftel, V. 0., "Permissible Levels of Migration of Some Organotin

Stabilizers in PVC", Gigiena Primeneniya Polimer. Material ov, 36-8,

1976. (Russian)

CA87-24130 (Ref. Zh., Khim. 1977, Abstr. Ho. 71660)

22. Taleb, F. ; Carrier, M.; Vallon, J. J., "Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Study of Food Contamination by Organotin Stabilizers from Food

Packages", Ann. Fals. Exp. Chim. , 72, 441-54, 1979. (French)

CA92-92808
23. Thomas, G. , "Dependence of Migration on the Presence of Epoxidized

Soybean Oil in Unplasticized PVC", Kunststoffe, 161-3, 1980. (German)

CA92-216113

24. Woggon, H.; Saeuberlich, H.; Uhde, W.-J., "Determination of Organotin

Compounds and Their Degradation and Decomposition Products by

Anodic Stripping", Z. Anal. Chem. , 260 , 268-74, 1972. (German)

CA77- 134884

25. Woggon, H. ; Uhde, W.-J.; Saeuberlich, H., "New Results on the Migration

of Organotin Stabilizers in Food", Ernaehrungsforschung , 16,

645-55, 1971. (German) ~

CA78-96169

26. Woggen, H.; Uehle, D; Uhde, W.-J., "Testing of Plastic Cormodi ti es

.

Migration of PVC Stabilizers into Edible Oil", Nahrung, T3, 343-50,

1969. (German)

CA72- 22347

27. Woggon, H. ; Koehler, U.; Uhde, W.-J., "Testing of Plastic Comnodities

.

Effect of Lubricants on the Migration Tendency of Organotin

Compounds from Rigid PVC", Nahrung, Vl_, 809-17, 1967. (German)

CA68-69831

28. Yen, C. H. , "Quantitative and Qualitative Study of the Migration of

Organotin Stabilizer from PVC to Liquid Foods", Rutgers State

University, New Brunswick, N. J., Dissertation, 1970.

CA75-128567 (Diss. Abstr. Int. B 1970, 31(3), 1343-4)
NBS-114A (REV. 2«*oi U.S. OEPT. OF COMM. 1. PUBLICATION OR 2. Performing Organ. Report No. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

REPORT NO^

SHEET (See instructions) NBSIR 81-2314

3. Publication Data

September 1981

4^ TITLE AND SUBTITLE

"Migration of Low Molecular Weight Additives in Polymers"

5. AUTHOR(S>

L. E. Smith, S> S> Chang, and G. A. Senich

6. PERFORMING 0RGANI21AT10N (If joint or other than NBS, see instructions)

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

7. Contract/ Grant No. FDA 224-77-2443

8. Type of Report 8> Period Covered

Semi-Annual

10/1/80 - 3/31/81

9. SPONSORING ORGANI21ATION NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS (Street., City. State. ZIP)

Bureau of Foods

Food and Drug Administration

Washington » D.C^ 20201

10. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

Related Documents:! NBSIR 81-2264^ NBSIR 80-1999

NBSIR 79-1779,. 1598, 1499

I 1 Document describes a computer program; SF-I85, FlPS Software Summary, is attached. 1

11. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary of mast significant information. If document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here)

Migration of three additives, n-octadecane, n-dotriacontane, and butyl ated hydroxytoluene (BHT), from linear (LPE) and branched polyethylene (BPE) into several oil

simulating solvents is studied at 30 to 60°C. Diffusion coefficients of the three

migrants from BPE into n-octanol are about the same as those into ethanol. The

diffusivity of BHT migrating from LPE into n-octanol is two to four times greater than

that for ethanol extraction. Diffusion coefficients of the migrants from BPE into the

synthetic triglyceride HB307 are about equal to those in ethanol and other triglyceride^

Diffusivities for 95% ethanol extractions of BPE are reduced by a factor of two thirds

to one half from the corresponding anhydrous ethanol values. The quantity of migrant

extractable by 95% ethanol is more strongly governed by the change in partition co- efficient, however. For BHT migrating from an (ethyl ene-5% vinyl acetate) copolymer,

diffusivities are only slightly higher for n-heptane but about three times greater in

ethanol and corn oil extractions compared to those for BPE. A literature survey on the migration of organotin compounds, particularly di-n-octyl tin stabilizers, from

poly(vinyl chloride) into foods and food-simulants is also given.

A

12. K.EY WORDS (S/x to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only proper names; and separate key words by semicolons)

(Additives; diffusion; ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers; food additives; indirect

-Additives; migration; octyltins; organotins; polyethylene; polyolefins; poly(vinylchloride); PVC

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