Characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) used in commercial bottled water

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine which compounds are present into drinking water packaged in poly(ethylene terephtalate) bottles and to know the origin of these substances in relationship with the material. A screening procedure was established for the detection of unknown compounds into bottled water. A panel of water bottles has been tested after exposure to extreme conditions of temperature and UV radiation to accelerate the possible migration of substances. At the same time, physico-chemical characterization of polymeric material has been performed namely calorimetric analysis, IRTF and low-frequency mechanical spectroscopy. The results thus obtained allow understanding in a better way the migration kinetics of molecules inside the polymer, it means the pollution of the bottled water. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.