COMMISSION ON ISOTOPE SPECIFIC MEASUREMENTS AS TRACEABLE
REFERENCES (II.4)
Number: 240/8/95
Title: Trace Elements in Plastics
Series: International
Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP-10)
Coordinator(s): P.
De Bièvre and P.
Taylor
Remarks: EU
Completion Date: 1998
Objective:
Plastics are widely employed for packaging foods
and concern has grown about the potential effects of toxic elements
leached from the plastic films into the foods contained by the plastic
packaging. Plastics are difficult to analyze because of their inertness
and resistance to dissolution. The measurement problems and legal
issues are international in scope as acceptable levels vary and acceptable
methodologies are known to be deficient. This problem will be well
served by the use of definitive isotope measurement technology to
resolve differences in measurement in the industry and among regulatory
agencies. Entrenched special interests make it difficult to come to
acceptable consensus within the environmental/health interests and
the industrial/agricultural interests.
Progress:
Project Completed
Eight elements were certified or assigned by the certifying laboratories.
The participants programme was completed in 1998 and a participants
report was prepared by IRMM after the Geneva meeting, late in 1998.
Report will be published and merged with the publication of Project
240/13/98.
Last update: 24 November 1999