A PFAS that is known to be hazardous– 6:2 FTOH (6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol)– was the most plentiful substance spotted in these samples. The polymeric PFAS in the samples can transform into this compound, consequently including to a consumers exposure to it.
These outcomes contradict claims that polymeric PFAS are immobile and do not produce direct exposure risks.
“However, this study calls into question the safety of polymeric PFAS for many of its usages.
A recent study reveals that allegedly safe replacement PFAS utilized in food packaging break down into poisonous substances, polluting food and the environment. This challenges the PFAS markets claims about the safety of polymeric PFAS, suggesting that the finest course of action is to remove the whole class of PFAS from non-essential uses.
A study recently released in Environmental Science & & Technology Letters suggests that the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as soon as thought about safe for usage in food packaging break down into poisonous PFAS that can seep into our food and environment.
In light of the risks postured by smaller sized PFAS particles like PFOA and PFOS in food-contact products, various companies have moved to utilizing bigger polymeric PFAS in their fast-food packaging, such as wrappers and bowls, to make them resistant to water and grease. These polymeric PFAS are promoted as being “more secure” options as they are deemed to be inert and too heavy to seep out of items.
Nevertheless, this research study provides the very first proof that polymeric PFAS utilized in food packaging break down into smaller sized particles that are still damaging and can seep into food and the environment.
” Its clear that polymers arent the harmless loophole the PFAS market was counting on them to be,” stated Marta Venier, co-author and professor at Indiana University. “Their usage in food product packaging still leads to persistent and harmful PFAS polluting the food we eat, and after its gotten rid of, our air and drinking water.”
The researchers tested 42 paper-based wrappers and bowls gathered from fast-food restaurants in Toronto. A PFAS that is understood to be harmful– 6:2 FTOH (6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol)– was the most abundant compound identified in these samples. The polymeric PFAS in the samples can change into this substance, thus adding to a customers direct exposure to it.
Seriously, the scientists found that the concentration of PFAS decreased by up to 85% after storing the products for two years under typical conditions (at space temperature and in the dark). Much of these losses were constant with the breakdown of the polymeric PFAS included to the fast-food product packaging. These outcomes contradict claims that polymeric PFAS are stable and do not produce exposure risks.
Some smaller sized PFAS particles have actually been associated with a large range of major health harms, from cancer to obesity to more severe COVID-19 outcomes, and they contaminate the drinking water of many millions. Only a small portion of the countless PFAS have actually been checked for toxicity, and all PFAS (consisting of polymers) are either incredibly persistent in the environment or break down into extremely persistent PFAS.
These issues have actually prompted 11 U.S. states to prohibit PFAS from most food product packaging, and major chains like Mcdonalds and Chick-fil-A have dedicated to becoming PFAS-free by 2025.
” There has been excellent progress toward phasing out PFAS, polymers included, from fast-food packaging in the U.S.,” stated co-author Arlene Blum, Executive Director of the Green Science Policy Institute. “However, this study casts doubt on the security of polymeric PFAS for a number of its usages. The very best strategy to safeguard our children and future generations is to get rid of the entire class of PFAS from all non-essential uses, from food product packaging to rain jackets, as soon as possible.”
Recommendation: “Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Canadian Fast Food Packaging” by Heather Schwartz-Narbonne, Chunjie Xia, Anna Shalin, Heather D. Whitehead, Diwen Yang, Graham F. Peaslee, Zhanyun Wang, Yan Wu, Hui Peng, Arlene Blum, Marta Venier and Miriam L. Diamond, 28 March 2023, Environmental Science & & Technology Letters.DOI: 10.1021/ acs.estlett.2 c00926.
The research study was moneyed by Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Great Lakes Protection Initiative, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Green Science Policy Institute, and the European Union under the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.