Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: rudders64 on 17/05/2014 03:10:51
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My company has recently switched from providing meals in china containers to using CPET plastic containers. These are heated in conventional aircraft ovens and although guidelines on heating have been provided the containers often soften or deform during heating. We have been reassured that CPET doesn't contain plasticisers and is safe for this purpose but I understand that they are based on Pthalates which have been shown to be Endocrine disrupters so I am unconvinced by the reassurances. I don't have access to scientific research beyond Google scholar and I can't find any research on heating with conventional ovens.
Can anyone provide any guidance on these plastics and their safety in this sort of use?
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A little pursuit through google suggests that the CPET container itself should be harmless but CPET is often finished with a layer of APET to reduce permeability and the APET is further coated with PVDC to give it a lustre. PVDC (Saran) has been implicated as a potential contaminant in microwaved food.
However the mention of "aircraft ovens" suggests that you are likely to inhale a fair quantity of plasticisers and aromatics before and after lunch anyway. Best to bring your own sandwiches.
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I have started doing just that but it isn't always possible, especially on long duty days. I realize that in this industrial time we will all be exposed to various levels of all sorts of things but food is one step beyond in my mind. 30 years ago asbestos workers were told that it was a harmless material. I don't want to follow in their footsteps without at least a little research [:D]