IDENTIFICATION OF MIGRATABLE SUBSTANCES IN RECYCLED HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE COLLECTED FROM HOUSEHOLD WASTE

High density polyethylene regranules reprocessed from separated househ old waste collection were investigated for migratable contaminants whi ch were not present in virgin material, Although the material originat ed from different European reprocessors, the detected recycling-specif ic compounds were similar in most of the investigated samples. At a ch osen threshold concentration of 0.5 mu g/g more than 70 compounds were tentatively identified, Aroma compounds and preservatives were found in the range of 0.5 to 10 mu g/g. Limonene, di(ethylhexyl) phthalate, and the isopropyl esters of myristic and palmitic acids were detected in concentrations up to 200 mu g/g. These compounds were found in almo st all the regranules, Most of the substances identified are constitue nts of personal hygiene products and cleaning agents and are therefore absorbed by the package during the storage, Owing to European food le gislation and German cosmetics regulations, the use of such recycling packaging material appears suitable only for filling with technical pr oducts.