Food Wrappers Bad For Your Health

You may want to think twice about having your hamburger wrapped on take out. Researchers at the University of Toronto have found that the chemicals used in food wrappers are being ingested and showing up in blood samples.

For decades, toxicologists have been studying the environmental and human effects of a class of chemicals using perfluorinated formulations. This awareness grew back in the 1970's when the chemicals used in a popular carpet protector was found in blood and the environment.

When researchers found perfluorooctanyl sulfonate (PFOS), a chief ingredient in 3M's Scotchgard product, detected in blood banks, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) put pressure on the company to phase PFOS off the market. Since then, 3M has replaced PFOS with another type of flurochemical which it says is safer.

Now comes a study from the University of Toronto saying that food wrappers containing perfluorinated chemicals are being ingested and found in the blood stream. Food wrappers commonly contain chemicals to repel grease and water from passing through the paper - the similar kind of chemical used in Scotchgard.

Researchers administered the chemical orally and through injection to laboratory rats over a course of three weeks. They then studied blood, stool and urine samples and found that the chemical was actually being metabolized and converted to another type of perfluorinate.

So before you go out buying popcorn or fast food hamburgers, you may want to think twice about whats packaged with it.

Source: Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylates Study

About Kerry Kobashi

Kerry is the founder of KerryOnWorld. He lives in Silicon Valley and has worked as an engineer and project manager. He owns Kobashi Computing a consulting company.