Alexei Volkov
Oil and plastic are two seemingly incompatible materials, yet their interaction can lead to surprising changes in the properties of both materials. Oils can seep out of plastic bottles due to the permeability of the plastic and the volatility of the oil. Different types of oils and plastics interact differently, with some oils degrading plastic and causing leaks, while others do not. The quality of the plastic also plays a role, with lower-quality plastics being more susceptible to degradation. Understanding how different oils affect different types of plastics is crucial for ensuring the safety of the products and preventing environmental harm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic permeability | Plays a major role in oil stability |
| Plasticizer | Can dissolve in oil and migrate from packaging into edible oil during storage |
| Plasticizer's harm to the human body | Not an acute poisoning reaction, but a similar effect of "environmental hormones" impairing the function of the organism |
| Plastic degradation | Leads to leaks, cracks, and contamination of essential oils |
| Plastic decomposition | Releases harmful chemicals like styrene or bisphenol A (BPA) |
| Plastic and oil interaction | Leads to surprising changes in the properties of both materials |
| Plastic bottles | May have tubes that cause heating of the air in the bottle, causing oil to come out |
| Plastic bottles | May have poor seals that allow oil to leak out over time |
| Plastic types | Polyethylene or polypropylene are suitable for long-term storage of oils |
| Plastic types | Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), nylon, and acetal are suitable for use with synthetic lubricants |
| Plastic types | PET has a decent essential oil barrier, but HDPE is better |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic permeability
The type of plastic used for packaging greatly affects its permeability to oil. Polyethylene (PE), for instance, is derived from petroleum, so it is more susceptible to dissolution by oil products. High-density polyethylene (HDPE), on the other hand, has a higher degree of polymerization, making it more resistant to dissolution by oil. This is why motor oil bottles are typically made from HDPE.
Some oils, like olive oil, can cause plastic containers to soften, leading to potential leaks and cracks. Lower-quality plastics are more susceptible to degradation by oils, and prolonged exposure can result in weakening, leaks, and contamination. Essential oils, in particular, can cause significant degradation in plastics, and it is recommended to use glass or specialized plastic containers like polypropylene to prevent this.
The stability of edible oils is also influenced by the barrier properties of the packaging material. Oxygen is the primary cause of edible oil deterioration, and antioxidants are added to the oil to ensure stability. However, the migration of antioxidants from plastic films into the oil does not effectively reduce the oxidation rate. Therefore, improving the oxygen barrier property of the packaging material is crucial to reducing or avoiding the use of antioxidants.
Additionally, certain additives in plastics, such as plasticizers, stabilizers, and diluents, can dissolve in oil and migrate into the oil during storage. This can have negative effects on human health, as large amounts of plasticizers accumulated in edible oils can impair the function of the body. As a result, it is important to select appropriate packaging materials for edible oils and adhere to national standards for the use of plasticizers.
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Plastic degradation
The interaction between oil and plastic can lead to unexpected changes in the properties of both materials. Some oils, such as essential oils, can cause plastic degradation, resulting in leaks, cracks, and contamination. Essential oils are highly volatile and can evaporate at room temperature, building up pressure inside containers. This pressure can cause the oil to leak out, even through small gaps in the seal. Prolonged exposure to certain oils, such as olive oil, can cause plastic to become hazy, sticky, discoloured, or softened, leading to potential leaks and cracks.
The type of plastic plays a significant role in its resistance to oil. Polyethylene (PE), for example, is derived from petroleum, and its similarity to oil makes it less suitable for containing oils. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) has a higher degree of polymerization, making it more resistant to dissolution by petroleum-based products. Motor oil bottles are typically made from HDPE to prevent leakage. Polypropylene (PP) containers are also recommended for long-term oil storage as they are less susceptible to degradation.
In the case of edible oils, the safety of the oil is a critical concern. Plasticizers and other additives in plastic packaging can dissolve and migrate into the oil during storage, potentially impacting human health. China has implemented national standards to regulate the use of plasticizers, such as DBP and DEHP, in food packaging. Antioxidants are often added to edible oils to prevent oxidation and ensure stability, but this can be achieved more effectively by improving the oxygen barrier properties of the packaging material.
Additionally, plastic degradation can occur due to environmental factors. Plastic can break down into microplastics and release harmful chemicals, such as styrene or bisphenol A (BPA), when exposed to UV light, heat, or mechanical wear. Choosing eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging options can help reduce the environmental impact of plastic containers used for oil-based products.
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Poor barrier properties
Plastic is a polymer, which is a large molecule composed of repeating subunits, or monomers, that are typically derived from petroleum. Because most plastics are made from oil, they do not have the best oil-barrier properties.
Every plastic has a certain set of barrier properties, and this varies from substance to substance, plastic to plastic. A lot of applications where a high barrier is required use multiple layers of multiple plastics to create a good barrier. It all depends on what you are trying to keep in (or keep out) of the container. For example, motor oil bottles are made from HDPE, a high-density polyethylene that has a much higher degree of polymerization and is more resistant to dissolution by petroleum.
However, some plastics are highly susceptible to degradation from essential oils, especially if the concentration is high. This weakening of the plastic can lead to leaks, cracks, or worse—contamination of the essential oils. For instance, olive oil can cause plastic to soften, leading to the potential for leaks, cracks, and even plastic leaching. Similarly, rapeseed oil can cause plastic to become hazy, sticky, or discolored.
In addition to plasticizers, stabilizers, diluents, and other additives in plastics are also liable to dissolve in oil, which may migrate from the packaging into the edible oil during storage. The migration of these additives can have negative health consequences. For example, plasticizers can impair the function of the human body by causing the body to secrete disorders, thereby impairing the function of the organism.
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Plasticizer accumulation
Plasticizers are additives that can be used to increase the softness of materials or to liquefy them. They are commonly used in the production of plastics, rubber, and inks. Phthalates plasticizers are the most common plasticizers for plastic food packaging materials. Plasticizers are not chemically bound to PVC and may therefore migrate into the surrounding environment.
The leaching of plasticizers from plastic is influenced by various factors, including solubility, volatility, additive size, pH, physical or chemical properties of media, temperature, permeability of the polymer matrix, and gaps between polymer molecules. Plasticizers can migrate from plastic materials to external matrices such as water, soil, and food, as well as internally within plastic to its surface. This migration can have harmful consequences for the environment and human health. For example, the plasticizer di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) disrupts the endocrine systems of humans and animals. Studies have shown the accumulation of plasticizers in seabird tissues, revealing that the oil components in the digestive tract facilitate the leaching of these substances from plastics.
In the context of edible oils, the plasticizer in the oil can continue to accumulate during long-term storage in contact with the packaging. Once the accumulated amount exceeds a certain threshold, it may affect human health. The harm caused by plasticizers is not acute poisoning but a similar effect to "environmental hormones," impairing the function of the organism. China has issued national standards to guide the use of plasticizers in food packaging, and as a result, PVC materials that use plasticizers are gradually disappearing in the edible oil market.
The accumulation of plasticizers in the human body can also occur through other routes of exposure, such as industrial emissions, direct transfer from building materials, leakage from wastewater supply and sewage pipes, and fertilizers. Infants and children are more susceptible to the accumulation of plasticizers due to their immature metabolism and lower excretion processes.
To prevent the accumulation of plasticizers in edible oils, manufacturers can select packaging materials with better barrier properties, such as HDPE, or use multiple layers of different plastics to create a good barrier.
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Volatile oils
Because of their aromatic and biochemical properties, volatile oils have been used for centuries by humans for medicinal, cosmetic, and culinary purposes. They are generally extracted for medicinal and therapeutic applications. Their scents are used in aromatherapy and traditional medicine, such as for relaxation and stress relief, pain management, skin irritations, and skincare. Their high volatile oil content makes them incredibly potent, even in small quantities.
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Frequently asked questions
Oil can leach out of plastic due to the material's barrier properties. Plastic is made from oil, so it does not have the best barrier properties.
The rate of oil leakage depends on the type of oil, the quality of the plastic, and the storage conditions.
Essential oils, motor oils, and synthetic oils are more likely to leak through plastic due to their higher concentrations and aggressive nature.
Yes, the plasticizers and other additives in plastic can migrate into the oil, which may have negative health effects.
Oil leakage can be prevented by using glass containers or specialized plastic containers, such as polypropylene, that are resistant to oil degradation.
