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Human intake assessment of triclosan associated with the daily use of polypropylene-made antimicrobial food packaging
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Researchers assessed human exposure to triclosan, an antimicrobial chemical, from everyday use of Microban-branded microwave-safe food containers. They found that both direct chemical migration from the containers and microplastics released during microwave heating contributed to significant triclosan intake, with estimated weekly exposure levels raising health concerns. The study calls for a worldwide ban on triclosan in food-contact materials and better compliance testing, especially for products sold through online platforms.
In this work, we aimed to evaluate human intake of triclosan (TCS) associated with real-life use of different brands of Microban™ microwave-safe food packaging. Calculations were based on: TCS migration data (under the worst-case foreseeable conditions), MPs abundance and TCS bioaccessibility from microplastics (MPs), leached from containers under microwave heating. Bioaccessibility studies were performed with in vitro digestion of MPs, followed by liquid-liquid extraction of TCS from digestive fluids and LC-QqQ-MS analysis yielding values of 46 ± 9%. The estimated weekly intake (EWI) of TCS ranged between 11 and 42 μg/kg body weight/week, with migration being the largest contribution (0.6-2.3 mg/week), compared to leaching of MPs (75-300 μg/week). These values represent a significant source of human exposure to TCS, emphasizing the need to harmonize the ban of TCS in food contact materials worldwide and improve compliance testing of food contact articles, particularly those marketed through online sales platforms.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.