Here's why ‘eco-friendly’ fast food takeout bowls could be harmful
| Sep 12, 2019, 13:32 IST
Chemicals known as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in fast food takeout bowls deemed "eco-friendly" could cause issues to our health and environment, according to researchers.
Greg Altman, chief executive officer and co-founder of Evolved by Nature explained the use of PFAS began after World War II because they manage to keep out water and grease. “Nothing sticks to them,” Altman told a news portal.
However, they also have contaminated water sources that may increase the risk of cancer.Because they are used all overEnvironmental Protection Agency officials are worried about the amount being used, especially in food chains. “To a lesser extent, PFAS can also come into contact with food as a result of the limited authorized uses as food contact substances,” the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states on their website.
PFAS can increase the risk of health conditions like preeclampsia, high cholesterol, asthma, and thyroid disorders. “It’s going to affect children more than adults,” Radford told a news portal.
However, more research is needed to understand how it impacts our planet and health. “While PFOS and PFOA concentrations have declined in the United States general population and elsewhere, and extensive research of levels of PFAS in environmental matrices has been published, significant gaps remain in the reporting of general environmental trends and correlation to human exposure levels,” authors of the study told a news portal.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images
Greg Altman, chief executive officer and co-founder of Evolved by Nature explained the use of PFAS began after World War II because they manage to keep out water and grease. “Nothing sticks to them,” Altman told a news portal.
However, they also have contaminated water sources that may increase the risk of cancer.Because they are used all overEnvironmental Protection Agency officials are worried about the amount being used, especially in food chains. “To a lesser extent, PFAS can also come into contact with food as a result of the limited authorized uses as food contact substances,” the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states on their website.
PFAS can increase the risk of health conditions like preeclampsia, high cholesterol, asthma, and thyroid disorders. “It’s going to affect children more than adults,” Radford told a news portal.
However, more research is needed to understand how it impacts our planet and health. “While PFOS and PFOA concentrations have declined in the United States general population and elsewhere, and extensive research of levels of PFAS in environmental matrices has been published, significant gaps remain in the reporting of general environmental trends and correlation to human exposure levels,” authors of the study told a news portal.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images