The possibility of using different types of polymeric and polymer-containing reusable containers (literature review)

Abstract

The article contains a review of the literature devoted to research the possibility of using polymeric materials as returnable containers for the supply of water to consumers. When conducting a literature search, the following databases were used: Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, Global Health, RSCI. The purpose of the work was to collect information on the sources of contamination of drinking water packed in polymer containers based on the literature data and evaluate the possibilities of its safe reuse. Conducted information and analytical studies have shown that the repeated use of polymer containers (in particular, PET containers) may be unreliable, both in terms of chemical and microbiological safety. The paper identifies the main chemical components migrating from polymer containers, which have the greatest impact on the quality of drinking water. The influence of storage temperature, the duration of contact of plastic with water, abrasion of the material, the influence of photochemical aging of bottles and the impact of disinfectants are also considered. The conducted studies have shown that at the moment there are no regulatory and methodological documents regulating the possibility and conditions for the reuse of plastic containers (19-liter bottles), the number of cycles of its reuse, the indicators by which the assessment is made, and the criteria by which the already used container cannot be used further. The possibility of multiple reuse of polymer containers for water storage currently needs to be regulated. There is little literature data on the wear resistance of various types of plastic and the maximum number of cycles of detergents and disinfectants that it can withstand without destroying its structure. Taking into account the data on the destructive changes in polymers under the influence of external factors (temperature, sunlight, etc.), and in the process of treating it with detergents, it is necessary to propose and scientifically substantiate documents regulating the use of returnable packaging, taking into account the materials of modern research. It is also necessary to search for safe, simple and effective methods and means of disinfection of polymer containers.