Characterization of Antimony Leaching from Polyethylene Terephthalate Bottles by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
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Characterization of Antimony Leaching from Polyethylene Terephthalate Bottles by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Maria Kanuchovaa, *, Lubica Kozakovaa, Tomas Bakalara, and Jiri Skvarlaa a
The Technical University of Kosice, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnology, Institute of Earth Resources, Kosice, 042 00 Slovakia *e-mail: [email protected] Received April 23, 2018; revised January 9, 2019; accepted April 15, 2020
Abstract—X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a really specific and sensitive method for surface analysis. The monitoring of antimony concentrations in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles by XPS analysis is a new method for the characterization of bottled water contamination by antimony which frequently comes into contact with food and drink. The elevation of Sb concentrations in bottled waters is mainly due to Sb2O3 being used as a catalyst in the manufacture of PET. In this study, using a sensitive XPS determination of Sb in PET bottle materials, we observed that the water became contaminated with Sb during storage. Because the color of PET material may have an impact on the leaching of antimony, clear and blue PET bottle materials were analyzed separately and the results were compared directly. The main difference between the previous analyses and this study is that we analyzed only bottle plastic material rather than the water itself. Keywords: XPS analysis, bottled water, PET plastic, contamination DOI: 10.1134/S106193482010007X
High quality drinking water is necessary for human health and development. Pollutants such as pesticides, fertilizers, bacteria, toxic metals and other potentially harmful (not yet identified) environmental contaminants may worsen the quality of drinking water in many regions of the world. Antimony can be found in the environment as a result of human activities. Inorganic compounds of antimony are more toxic when compared to organic compounds of many other elements [1]. The toxicity of antimony is related to its oxidation state. Sb(III) is ten times more toxic than Sb(V). Sb(III) is more chemically attracted to red blood cells and sulfhydryl groups of cellular components than Sb(V) [2]. Other reports [3] claim that Sb2O3 and Sb2S3 can cause lung tumors in rats. These chemicals are carcinogenic for humans. Antimony has been frequently used as a catalyst in the polycondensation reaction to produce polyethylene terephthalate (PET) [4]. As a result, Sb is incorporated into some PET bottles that are used for beverages at concentrations from 100 to 300 mg/kg [5]. It is known that the higher Sb(III) oxide concentrations negatively affect PET viscosity. Researchers [6] found that approximately 38% of total Sb daily intake for an adult (about 7.4 μg Sb/day) can come from drinking water from PET bottles. High consumption of mineral waters packaged in PET bottles and the associated risk of antimony leaching into beverages have prompted
various studies concerning the toxicity of individual beverages caused by antimony. In addition, the
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