Researchers Find 10,000 Chemicals in Food Packaging, Some Toxic
Norwegian researchers have discovered approximately 10,000 different chemicals in a single plastic product used for food packaging, some of which are toxic and can disrupt human hormones and metabolism.
The risks include effects on fertility and growth, and even cancer. These findings were published on Thursday in the journal of Environmental Science & Technology.
Plastic packaging is widely used for its ability to preserve and protect food, offering benefits such as lightness, flexibility, and the ability to seal products effectively, thus extending their shelf life. However, the environmental concerns and potential negative impacts on public health and the environment due to recycling challenges and the accumulation of plastic waste, along with the leaching of chemicals into food, are increasing.
To explore the impact of food packaging products on humans, the research team conducted a detailed analysis of 36 plastic materials in contact with food, collected from five countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, and Norway. They found that all tested plastic materials contained chemicals that could activate or inhibit key hormone receptors.
Each plastic product had a "chemical footprint" unique to it, with some containing up to 9936 identifiable chemicals. Many of these plastic products contained toxic substances that could affect hormone secretion, including "estrogen", responsible for the reproductive system and female characteristics, and "androgen", or the male hormone, in addition to their negative effect on metabolism.
Hormones are chemical molecules secreted by different glands in the body, traveling through the bloodstream to influence the functions of various body organs. Metabolism refers to the chemical processes that occur within the body's cells, allowing the body to convert food into energy and build and repair tissues.
Dr. Martin Wagner, the lead researcher from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, stated, "Our study has shown that most plastic products used in food packaging contain toxic chemicals absorbed by the body, negatively affecting hormones and metabolism."
He further emphasized the significant health risks posed by these substances due to their ability to disrupt the endocrine and metabolic systems, and their impacts on fertility, reproductive health, growth, and even cancer.
Wagner highlighted that "the vast number of chemicals present in plastics underscores the need for a two-pronged approach to address these public health concerns. The first is to develop safer plastic materials with simpler chemical compositions and lower toxicity levels, and the second is to enact stricter regulations to limit the use of harmful chemicals in plastic production, including Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates."
Plastic packaging is widely used for its ability to preserve and protect food, offering benefits such as lightness, flexibility, and the ability to seal products effectively, thus extending their shelf life. However, the environmental concerns and potential negative impacts on public health and the environment due to recycling challenges and the accumulation of plastic waste, along with the leaching of chemicals into food, are increasing.
To explore the impact of food packaging products on humans, the research team conducted a detailed analysis of 36 plastic materials in contact with food, collected from five countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, and Norway. They found that all tested plastic materials contained chemicals that could activate or inhibit key hormone receptors.
Each plastic product had a "chemical footprint" unique to it, with some containing up to 9936 identifiable chemicals. Many of these plastic products contained toxic substances that could affect hormone secretion, including "estrogen", responsible for the reproductive system and female characteristics, and "androgen", or the male hormone, in addition to their negative effect on metabolism.
Hormones are chemical molecules secreted by different glands in the body, traveling through the bloodstream to influence the functions of various body organs. Metabolism refers to the chemical processes that occur within the body's cells, allowing the body to convert food into energy and build and repair tissues.
Dr. Martin Wagner, the lead researcher from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, stated, "Our study has shown that most plastic products used in food packaging contain toxic chemicals absorbed by the body, negatively affecting hormones and metabolism."
He further emphasized the significant health risks posed by these substances due to their ability to disrupt the endocrine and metabolic systems, and their impacts on fertility, reproductive health, growth, and even cancer.
Wagner highlighted that "the vast number of chemicals present in plastics underscores the need for a two-pronged approach to address these public health concerns. The first is to develop safer plastic materials with simpler chemical compositions and lower toxicity levels, and the second is to enact stricter regulations to limit the use of harmful chemicals in plastic production, including Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates."
Translation:
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