Retention of Chemical Contaminants by Glass, Polyethylene, and Polycarbonate Multiuse Milk Containers

Abstract

Glass, polyethylene, and polycarbonate mulituse milk containers were treated with 29 common household chemicals to simulate consumer abuse. Of the three container materials, glass was the easiest to clean and was most resistant to retention of treatment contaminants. The in-line contamination detection device allowed nine treated polyethylene containers and five treated polycarbonate containers to pass undetected. These each held sufficient contaminant to produce an off-odor in milk later placed in the treated container. Gas chromatographic analyses of volatile constituents present in treated, emptied, and washed polyethylene and polycarbonate containers showed compounds that were not present in the untreated containers. Virtually no volatile compounds were detected in either the treated or untreated glass containers. Chlordane residues of 0.007, 24 and 14.6 ppm were recovered from milk placed in glass, polyethylene, and polycarbonate containers, which had been contaminated with full strength chlordane, rinsed, washed, and refilled with milk. Neither the polyethylene nor the polycarbonate multiuse milk container appear to comply with the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance — 1965 Recommendations of the United States Public Health Service.