Free Access
Issue
Analusis
Volume 27, Number 4, May 1999
Air pollution
Page(s) 369 - 372
Section Original articles
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/analusis:1999119
Analusis 27, 369-372 (1999)
DOI: 10.1051/analusis:1999119

Emission of toxic sulfur gases from polymers coming in contact with food products and with infants

R. Houriet1 and D. Louvier2

1  Laboratoire de Technologie des Poudres, Département des Matériaux, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
2  Laboratoire Emballage et Conditionnement, École d'Ingénieurs du Canton de Vaud, CH-1400 Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland


Abstract
The analysis of the volatiles evolved from a number of polymer samples commonly used in domestic applications show that carbon disulfide, CS2, and carbonyl sulfide, COS, are emitted in the lower range of temperatures, i.e. from room temperature up to 150 °C. Emission of COS in the ppm range was also monitored from materials used in the fabrication of the teats for baby's feeding bottles and from similar devices. Given the lack of legal tolerance limits on the toxicity of COS, it is urgent that such norms be set for this compound.



© EDP Sciences, Wiley-VCH 1999