Purpose

This procedure measures the amount of acetaldehyde in PET bottles 24 hours after blow molding.

Description

Bottles are blow molded using standard blow air and flushed with nitrogen for 30 seconds and sealed approximately one hour after blow molding. The bottles are stored in a 72°F, 50% RH environment for 24 hours and then analyzed for acetaldehyde content in the bottle headspace at 24±1 hrs of age. A suitable standard is prepared and used to calibrate the gas chromatograph. The maximum height of the AA peak for the sample is compared against the AA peak for a known standard to determine the amount of AA within the bottle headspace.