Determination of migration monomer styrene from GPPS (general purpose polystyrene) and HIPS (high impact polystyrene) cups to hot drinks

Abstract

In this study, 162 samples were analysed for monomer styrene content with using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method in hot tea, milk, cocoa milk. The monomer styrene content, expressed in μg/l of drink and the level of migration of styrene monomer were varied from 0.61 to 8.15 for hot tea, from 0.65 to 8.30 for hot milk, from 0.71 to 8.65 for hot cocoa milk in GPPS (general purpose polystyrene), from 0.48 to 6.85 for hot tea, from 0.61 to 7.65 for hot milk, from 0.72 to 7.78 for hot cocoa milk in HIPS (high performance polystyrene) cups in different temperatures and times. The estimated limit of detection of (HPLC) method for all samples was 0.001 mg/kg. There is linear regression for styrene monomer from 1 to 10 ng/ml. Several samples spiked with a known amount of styrene monomer. The results of the recovery in study for styrene monomer were determinate to be mean, 96.1 ± 1.92 to 99.7 ± 1.15%. The results of this study indicate that styrene monomer from polystyrene disposable into hot and fat drinks was migrated and this migration was highly dependent on fat content and temperature of drinks. The derived concentration of styrene monomer in this study was above the EPA (Environmental protection agency) recommended level, especially in MCLG (Maximum contaminant level goal) standard. More study is needed to further elucidate this finding.