SORPTION OF CHLOROANISOLE VAPORS BY RAISIN PACKAGING MATERIAL

The behavior and concentration of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) vapors migrating into low-density polyethylene film (PE) of 0.39 mu m at vari ous temperatures and desorption of TCA from PE were determined. After 12 h exposure, 1642 mu g g(-1) TCA was sorbed at 30 degrees C compared with 675 mu g g(-1) at 20 degrees C. For PE to reach equilibrium of 4 200 mu g g(-1) at 30 degrees C took 48 h, but 120 h at 20 degrees C. T he transmission of TCA through PE occurred after 12 h at 30 degrees C (8.9 mu g kg(-1) m(-2) h(-1)) and after 36 h at 20 degrees C (5.0 mu g kg(-1)m(-2) h(-1)). Desorption of TCA from PE increased with temperat ure. At 80 degrees C, 99% TCA was desorbed in 1 h compared to 51% at 4 0 degrees C, 31% at 30 degrees C and 17% at 20 degrees C. The rate of sorption, desorption and transmission of TCA vapors by PE is highly te mperature-dependent.