Researchers find toxic fluorinated compounds in fast food packing that cause cancer and lower fertility

[Interesting Science News]

A new study by the researchers of Nevada silent spring institute found potential toxic compounds for cancer in the wrappers used for fast foods in U.S. Fast foods are the not recommended for healthy eating. It is known that they contain saturated fats but the new study throws light about the hidden dangers associated with fast foods. Restaurants use grease proof wrappers for packing fast foods. Now it is learned that toxic compounds present in the wrappers leach into the foods and can lead to cancers, lowers fertility and associated with many other health effects.

 

Read the complete article here http://www.chaprama.com/2017/02/researchers-find-toxic-fluorinated-compounds-in-fast-food-packaging-that-cause-cancer-and-lower-fertility.html

[Sensei]

Unsaturated fatty acid + halogen -> Halogenated fatty acid
http://www.cyberlipid.org/fa/acid0007.htm

The main source of Halogens in typical house are, salt NaCl, and Teflon pan.

I would take Teflon pan (brand new and used, with unavoidable scratches),
bottle of unsaturated fatty acid, check whether it contains any Fluorine in mass spectrometer.
And all day long cook unsaturated fatty acid on Teflon pan,
and repeat check for presence of fluorinated fatty acid..

Now it is learned that toxic compounds present in the wrappers leach into the foods and can lead to cancers, lowers fertility and associated with many other health effects.

It's even mentioned in patent for "Greaseproof paper":
https://www.google.com/patents/EP2894253A1?cl=en

"In order for greaseproof paper to exhibit grease resistance, fluorine compounds, particularly fluorinated compounds containing a perfluoro group, have been conventionally used. However, fluorinated compounds containing a perfluoro group have caused safety concerns because it has been revealed that when subjected to heating treatment, they produce substances that will accumulate in and do harm to human bodies. Under these circumstances, greaseproof paper has been proposed in which the surface of a paper base is coated with a fluorine-free greaseproof agent as an alternative to fluorine compounds."




http://www.silentspring.org/research-update/fast-food-packaging-contains-potentially-harmful-chemicals

"In the most comprehensive analysis (link is external) to date on the prevalence of highly fluorinated chemicals in fast food packaging in the United States, researchers tested more than 400 samples from 27 fast food chains throughout the country. The samples, consisting of paper wrappers, paperboard, and drink containers, were analyzed for a class of chemicals called PFASs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as PFCs. These highly fluorinated chemicals are widely used in an array of nonstick, stain-resistant, and waterproof products, including carpeting, cookware, outdoor apparel, as well as food packaging."

Edited February 5, 2017 by Sensei

[CharonY]

So here is the thing. PFCs (such as PFOA, PFOS and so on) are literally everywhere. Take the blood of any random person and you will find there. The levels have been dropping in recent years but you can still find it. It accumulates in wild life as well as water. Likewise, you will find trace amount in most food. There are two reasons for that. A) they bioaccumulate and B) our measurement sensitivity has been improving massively.

So the real issue is the following: how much is leaching out? In order for it to be an acute concern would need a concentration above the background exposure. It should also be noted that while these compounds have been associated with adverse health effects, much less is known about low-level continuous exposure, or the mechanisms of toxicity, for that matter. So again, we know it is there, but we really need to figure out how much there is and establish an idea of how much is harmful.