Greater than 3,600 chemical compounds from meals packaging maintain been detected within the human physique, a lot of them dangerous to well being

Researchers maintain made a shocking discovery: A latest examine has detected over 3,600 chemical compounds utilized in meals packaging and processing, often called meals contact chemical compounds, within the human physique. Whereas the substances already recognized to be dangerous, reminiscent of PFAS and bisphenol A, had been anticipated outcomes, the researchers additionally warn that many different chemical compounds detected within the examine may be dangerous to well being.

The examine, revealed within the Journal of Publicity Science and Environmental Epidemiology, highlights widespread human publicity to chemical compounds that near into contact with meals and maintain been detected in human samples reminiscent of urine, blood and breast milk.

For the examineThe researchers in contrast over 14,000 recognized meals contact chemical compounds (FCCs) with knowledge from 5 human biomonitoring applications, three metabolome/exposome databases, and varied scientific research. The outcomes confirmed that 3,601 of those chemical compounds, representing 25% of recognized FCCs, are current within the human physique.

“Our analysis establishes a hyperlink between chemical compounds that near into contact with meals, publicity and human well being. It additionally highlights these chemical compounds that maintain beforehand been ignored in biomonitoring research. And it presents an notable alternative for prevention and well being safety,” stated Dr. Birgit Geueke, lead writer of the examine in a Press launch.

“This work highlights the undeniable fact that meals contact supplies are usually not fully protected, even in the event that they could also be compliant with laws, as they’re recognized to switch risky chemical compounds to people. We wish to expend this unusual proof to enhance the security of meals contact supplies – each when it comes to laws and in creating safer alternate options,” stated Dr. Jane Muncke, lead writer of the examine.

The researchers identified that the potential risks of a lot of these chemical compounds maintain not been completely studied, elevating considerations in regards to the unknown dangers related to these substances.

“We already knew that problematic chemical compounds in meals packaging are usually not restricted to well-known substances reminiscent of bisphenol and phthalates, however we had been stunned by the excessive variety of chemical compounds that near into contact with meals for which there’s proof of human publicity. This reveals that extra analysis is required on the toxicity and publicity of many chemical compounds, as nicely as on their expend in meals packaging,” stated co-author Olwenn Martin.