Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health & Well-being (SDG 3)
To assess the presence of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl substances in the food packaging of local manufacturers and retailers of international products in Trinidad and Tobago Shelinie Albert, Dr. Denise M. Beckles * The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus Trinidad and Tobago, W.I E-mail: shelinie.albert@my.uwi.edu Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic organic pollutants known for their persistence, mobility, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. 1 Often called “forever chemicals”, they are widely used in consumer products, particularly food contact materials (FCM), due to their oil and water-repellent properties. However, they pose significant risks to human health and the environment. 2 This research aims to detect and quantify PFAS levels in food packaging materials, manufactured and retailed in Trinidad and Tobago. A combination of non-targeted and targeted approaches was employed to address the growing concern regarding the vast number and structural complexity of PFAS compounds. Fluorine-19 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (F-19 NMR) was used to determine total fluorine content, whilst Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was utilized for compound identification and quantification. This provides a highly selective, non-destructive, and sensitive approach to determining the PFAS levels in food packaging. Currently, limited research has been done on the analysis of PFAS in food packaging both locally and across the Caribbean. Further research is essential, as it forms the basis for policymakers in the Caribbean to develop regulatory standards and policies that address ongoing health, and environmental concerns while supporting global efforts to reduce PFAS exposure. Key words: PFAS analysis, food packaging, non-targeted, F-19 NMR, targeted References 1. Schwartz-Narbonne, H.; Xia, C.; Shalin, A.; Whitehead, H. D.; Yang, D.; Peaslee, G. F.; Wang, Z.; Wu, Y.; Peng, H.; Blum, A.; Venier, M.; Diamond, M. L. Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Canadian Fast-Food Packaging. Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett. 2023 , 10(4), 343-349. https: //do i.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00926. 2. Jovanović, M.; Müller, V.; Feldmann, J.; Leitner, E. Analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in raw materials intended for the production of paper-based food contact materials – evaluating LC-MS/MS versus total fluorine and extractable organic fluorine. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 2024 , 1-12. DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2024.2332334.
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