University
of Notre Dame
EDITOR’S
NOTE: Given Trump’s addiction to junk fast food, it’s unlikely we will see much
more federal funding put into research on this subject.
Americans
may be consuming fast food wrapped in paper treated with perfluorinated
chemicals (PFCs) -- the same chemicals used in stain-resistant products,
firefighting materials and nonstick cookware, according to a new study
published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Researchers
tested more than 400 samples of packaging materials, including hamburger and
sandwich wrappers, pastry bags, beverage cups and French fry containers, and
found evidence of fluorinated compounds called per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances (PFASs).
Of
the materials tested, these chemicals were found in 56 percent of dessert and
bread wrappers, 38 percent of sandwich and burger wrappers and 20 percent of
paperboard.
Previous
studies have shown that these PFASs can migrate, contaminating the food and,
when consumed, accumulating in the body.
"It gets in the bloodstream, it stays
there and accumulates. There are diseases that correlate to it, so we really don't
want this class of chemicals out there."
Peaslee
used a novel specialized method called particle-induced gamma-ray emission
(PIGE) spectroscopy, which he developed to analyze the total fluorine content
of each piece of packaging. PIGE is an efficient and cost-effective way to
measure the presence of chemicals like fluorine in solid samples.
Previous
studies have linked PFASs to kidney and testicular cancers, thyroid disease,
low birth weight and immunotoxicity in children, among other health issues. The
chemicals have an especially long half-life and take many years before just 50
percent of the intake leaves the human body.
"These
chemicals don't biodegrade. They don't naturally degrade. They persist in the
environment for a very long time," Peaslee said.
The
results are concerning when considering the role of fast food in the American
diet. The National Center for Health Statistics reported one-third of U.S.
children consume fast food daily.
Samples
were collected from a total of 27 fast food restaurant chains including
McDonald's, Burger King, Chipotle, Starbucks, Jimmy Johns, Panera and
Chick-Fil-A, in and around Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, D.C.,
and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The study did not include takeout containers, such
as Chinese food boxes or pizza boxes.
Upon
the results of the study, researchers reached out to each of the fast food
chains that had been sampled to see if they were aware the packaging being used
contained fluorinated chemicals.
Only
two responded, each stating they believed their packaging was free of PFASs --
one went so far as to state they had received verification from their supplier.
But
the study showed both respondents had tested positive for a substantial amount
of fluorinated chemicals, leading researchers to believe that some chains may
be unaware of what's in their packaging.
"This
is a wake-up call for those companies and the consumers," Peaslee said.
Those
involved in the study are hopeful the results will encourage fast food
restaurants to choose nontoxic alternatives such as plastic coatings, aluminum
foil or wax paper.
Peaslee
conducted his research as a professor at Hope College. Since joining the
University of Notre Dame, he is leading installation of a facility in the
Nuclear Science Laboratory at the University to perform PIGE tests routinely on
consumer products and environmental samples in the future.
Co-authors
include researchers and scientists from the Silent Spring Institute, the California
Department of Toxic Substances Control, the Green Science Policy Institute, the
Environmental Working Group, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, as well as the University of
California at Berkeley and Hope College.
