Detection of Chemicals from Food Packaging in Human Bodies
Recent research reveals that more than 3,600 chemicals, utilized in food packaging or preparation, have been detected in human bodies. Some of these chemicals are hazardous to health, while little is known about others, according to the study published on Tuesday.
High Concern Chemicals and Their Presence in Humans
Approximately 100 of these chemicals are considered to be of “high concern” to human health, stated Birgit Geueke from the Food Packaging Forum Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Zurich. Some of these chemicals, including PFAS and bisphenol A, are relatively well-studied and have been found in human bodies. They are now the target of bans due to their potential health risks.
Unknown Health Effects of Food Packaging Chemicals
Geueke emphasized the need for further research into how chemicals used in food packaging end up being swallowed along with food, as little is known about the health effects of many of these chemicals. Researchers have previously catalogued around 14,000 food contact chemicals (FCCs) which are capable of “migrating” into food from various packaging materials.
Discovery of Surprising Number of FCCs in Human Bodies
The researchers were taken aback to find 3,601 FCCs – a quarter of all known FCCs, in existing biomonitoring databases, which track chemicals in human samples. While it is not confirmed that all these chemicals come from food packaging, Geueke notes that “other exposure sources are possible”.
High Concern Chemicals: PFAS, Bisphenol A and Phthalates
Among the “High concern” chemicals were numerous PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, which have been detected in many parts of the human body in recent years and linked to a range of health problems. Also detected was bisphenol A, a hormone-disrupting chemical used to make plastics that has already been banned from baby bottles in many countries. Another hormone-disrupting chemical was phthalates, which has been linked to infertility.
Need for More Evidence on Oligomers
Less is known about oligomers, which are also byproducts of plastic production. “There is almost no evidence on the health effects of these chemicals,” Geueke said, highlighting the need for further studies.
Reducing Contact with Food Packaging
An old saying in toxicology is that “the dose makes the poison”. However, despite this, the study could not determine whether there were particularly high concentrations of any of the chemicals, Geueke acknowledged. She recommended that people reduce their contact with packaging and avoid heating up food in the packaging it came in.
Expert Opinions on the Study
Duane Mellor, an expert in evidence-based medicine at the UK’s Aston University and not involved in the research, praised the “very thorough piece of work”. He also pointed out that the study does not cover how much of these chemicals we are exposed to and hints at other sources of these chemicals in our environment.
Actions Taken Against High Concern Chemicals
The European Union is in the final stages of banning the use of PFAS in food packaging. The EU has also proposed a similar ban for bisphenol A from the end of this year. Some of the chemicals are also already facing bans.
Publication of the Study
The study was published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology.
—
Read More Health & Wellness News; US Lifestyle News