Container-derived contamination of maple sirup with methyl methacrylate, toluene, and styrene as determined by...

Samples of maple sirup and associated plastic packaging were examined for the presence of methyl methacrylate, toluene, and styrene by a head space gas chromatographic procedure. The volatile components common to the sirup and the plastic container were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The quantities of these contaminants in the sirup were determined at ppb levels by the standard additions technique and repetitive headspace analysis.