Abstract.
The release of volatile compounds from soothers and teats made from silicone rubber has been investigated. Firstly, measurements of the total release of volatiles were performed according to the method in the draft European standard (CEN). Weight losses of 0.17–0.80% after four hours at 200 °C were observed using gravimetric measurements. One product had a weight loss above the proposed CEN limit of 0.5%. Secondly, the volatile compounds were identified using a thermal desorption/cold trap injector on a gas chromatograph equipped with infrared spectroscopic (IR) and mass spectrometric (MS) detectors. The main compounds were siloxane oligomers and aliphatic hydrocarbons. One teat released about 0.1 mg diethyl phthalate (DEP), which is considered to be quite a high quantity. Limited amounts of the antioxidant 3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT) were found in most samples.
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Lund, K.H., Petersen, J. Safety of food contact silicone rubber: Liberation of volatile compounds from soothers and teats. Eur Food Res Technol 214, 429–434 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-001-0484-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-001-0484-8