Fast food harms your weight and your nutritional balance, but that’s not all. According to the results of a study published in the medical journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters, junk food packaging is said to contain perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), the same chemicals used in stain repellants, firefighting materials and non-stick utensils. Large fast food chains are concerned by this study.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame’s College of Science in the United States tested more than 400 samples of packaging, such as containers for burgers, sandwiches, pastries, as well as cups and bags for fries. Scientists have found traces of fluorinated compounds called perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) there.
Of the materials tested, these chemicals were found in 56% of dessert and bread packaging, 38% of sandwich and burger containers, and 20% of cartons.
“This is a very persistent chemical,” said Graham Peaslee, professor of experimental nuclear physics at the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame, who tested the samples. “It gets into the bloodstream, it stays there and accumulates. There are related diseases. This class of chemicals should not be present in food containers.”
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Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) involved in cancer and thyroid disease
Previous scientific studies have linked perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) to kidney and cancer cancers. testicles, of thyroid disease, low birth weight and immunotoxicity (immune dysfunction) in children. These chemicals have a particularly long half-life. It takes many years before barely 50% of the intake leaves the human body.
“These chemicals do not biodegrade or degrade naturally. They persist in the environment for a very long time,” said Graham Peaslee. The manufacturers concerned must take these results into consideration and find new non-toxic packaging.
Fluorinated Compounds in US Fast Food Packaging https://t.co/GZKYixjlXn via @DES_Journal
– Maria Sherow (@MariaSherow) February 3, 2017
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