Evaluation of Acetaldehyde in Water Stored in Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottles Distributed in Retail Stage in Isfahan, Iran

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a polymeric resin of polyester group used in the manufacture of beverage bottles. Migration of PET ingredients such as acetaldehyde to the content of bottles has adverse effects on consumers’ health. The purpose of the present study is to measure acetaldehyde in bottles of water.  

A total of 36 bottles of water stored in PET from 12 commercial brands (6 brands from each mineral and drinking water) were collected from retail stage in Isfahan, Iran. Measurement of acetaldehyde was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results were compared with the limit defined in standard of European Community in SPSS software using t-test.

Acetaldehyde was found in 26 samples with the frequency of 72%. The average of this compound was 22.18 ± 6.79 and 6.36 ± 4.53 parts per billion (ppb) in mineral and drinking water, respectively. Acetaldehyde observed more in mineral water compared to drinking water samples. The amount of acetaldehyde was less than the limit defined in standard of European Community in all samples.

According to the comparison of the measured values for acetaldehyde in mineral and drinking water in the present study with standard limit of European Community, it is recommended to perform the studies for risk assessment of different compounds migrated from bottles to their content and their effects on health.