Residues, migration pattern and health risk assessment of sodium pentachlorophenate in bamboo and wooden cutting boards

Sodium pentachlorophenate (PCP-Na) is a synthetic organochlorine compound used as a wood preservative. Given the potential for residual PCP-Na in wood-based food contact materials to migrate into diet, this study investigated PCP-Na residues, migration, and health risks in commercial bamboo and wooden cutting boards using ultrasonic-assisted liquid-liquid extraction combined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UA-LLE-UPLC-HRMS). Analysis of 120 boards (2022–2024) found quantifiable PCP-Na in five samples (1.50–422 mg/kg). Migration was assessed by mincing pork on positive boards over 10 simulated uses. PCP-Na transfer peaked during the first use, declined following a power-function pattern, and stabilized after the eighth use. Health risk assessment, conducted using accepted dietary exposure and risk characterization models, revealed high dietary intake risk (%ADI ≥ 200) for all age groups during the first use. Risk decreased with subsequent uses: moderate for adults by the fourth use (200 > %ADI ≥ 150), low by the fifth (150 > %ADI ≥ 100), and became insignificant (%ADI < 100) for all ages from the eighth use onward. Non-carcinogenic risk (HQ) was only observed for adults during the first use (HQ > 1). However, carcinogenic risk assessment (expressed as PCP equivalents, R) indicated potential cancer risk (R > 10⁻⁴) across all simulated usage cycles for all age groups. This study quantifies PCP-Na contamination and migration dynamics, showing significant initial migration decreasing with use. While dietary intake risk diminishes rapidly, persistent carcinogenic risk throughout the board’s lifespan is a critical finding.