Migration of heavy metals from recycled PET

Researchers at California Polytechnic State University tested 22 samples of recycled PET for migration of lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel and antimony into a 5% aqueous citric acid solution or deionized water. Samples were exposed to microwaves, or were stored before testing.
Neither the storage nor the microwave treatments had a significant effect on heavy metal migration. Exposure to 5% aqueous citric acid resulted in a higher rate of heavy metal leaching. Only few of the samples tested had heavy metals migrate above detectable levels indicating that most recycled PET packaging materials are relatively safe for direct food contact (Journal of Plastic Film and Sheeting, 15 June 2015).
Click here for an abstract of the article.

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