CANADA – A study by University of Toronto has found ‘forever chemicals’ in several fast food packaging items, something scientists say is a first in Canada.
The researchers at the University of Toronto (Canada), Indiana University (US) and University of Notre Dame (US) say their findings suggest that food packaging exposes people directly to these so-called “forever chemicals,” which have been linked to serious health effects such as increased cancer risk and immune system damage, by contaminating the food they eat.
Further, once discarded packaging enters waste streams, PFAS enter the environment, where the chemicals will never break down.
These health and environmental risks have prompted 11 US states to ban PFAS from most food packaging and two major restaurant chains Burger King and McDonald’s to commit to becoming PFAS-free by 2025.
Miriam Diamond, professor in the Department of Earth Sciences and School of the Environment at the University of Toronto and study co-author said: “As Canada restricts single-use plastics in foodservice ware, our research shows that what we like to think of as the better alternatives, such as paper wrappers and compostable bowls, are not so safe and ‘green’ after all.
“In fact, they may harm our health and the environment – from our air to our drinking water – by providing a direct route to PFAS exposure.”
The researchers collected 42 paper-based wrappers and bowls from fast-food restaurants in Toronto and tested them for total fluorine, an indicator of PFAS.
They then completed a detailed analysis of eight of those samples with high levels of total fluorine. Fiber-based molded bowls, which are marketed as “compostable,” had PFAS levels 3-10 times higher than doughnut and pastry bags.
The researchers detected several PFAS for the first time in food packaging, showing how difficult it is to track the presence of this large family of compounds.
For years, scientists have raised concerns about the use of PFAS, which are associated with a number of health hazards, in consumer products.
They are used as repellants for dirt, water and grease, which is why they are found in waterproof clothing and personal care products.
Exposure to certain PFAS is associated with reproductive, developmental, endocrine, liver, kidney and immunological effects, according to Health Canada.
PFAS can also alter cholesterol levels and decrease the efficacy of vaccines, while some studies have also suggested that high levels of exposure could lead to Type 2 diabetes, Diamond said.
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