Harmful “ceaselessly chemicals” have been detected in some fast food packaging in Canada — for the primary time — in response to a latest study.
The research published Tuesday within the Environmental Science & Technology Letter found evidence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in dozens of samples of take-out containers collected from fast food restaurants in Toronto.
Among the many 42 samples collected in August 2020, there was evidence of using PFAS in about half of them and an additional deep dive of eight products confirmed the presence of the toxic chemicals, said Miriam Diamond, a professor within the department of earth sciences and the college of environment on the University of Toronto.
The evaluation suggested that paper bags and compostable options which might be considered greener alternatives may be causing harm to the environment and folks’s health.
“The very best concentrations (of PFAS) were within the moulded fiber bowls — those bowls where you may get a salad or burrito,” said Diamond, who co-authored the study.
For years, scientists have raised concerns concerning the use of PFAS, that are related to a variety of health hazards, in consumer products.
PFAS, often called “ceaselessly chemicals,” are a bunch of 1000’s of long-lasting, human-made chemicals which might be utilized in textiles, cosmetics, furniture, paints, firefighting foams, food packaging and other commonly used consumer products.
They’re used as repellants for dirt, water and grease, which is why they’re present in waterproof clothing and private care products.
Exposure to certain PFAS is related to reproductive, developmental, endocrine, liver, kidney and immunological effects, in response to Health Canada.
PFAS may alter levels of cholesterol and reduce the efficacy of vaccines, while some studies have also suggested that prime levels of exposure may lead to Type 2 diabetes, Diamond said.
Lower fertility and birth weight are amongst “a complete range of harmful effects,” she added.
In response to Health Canada’s website, persons are exposed to PFAS “mainly through food, drinking water and house dust.”
To lower human exposure, the federal government of Canada has prohibited certain kinds of PFAS, corresponding to PFOS, PFOA, long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), their salts and precursors.
Under the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations, Health Canada “prohibits the sale of foods in packages that will impart any substance to the contents which could also be harmful to the patron of the food.”
While it’s the food seller’s responsibility to make sure the security of packaging material, manufacturers are required to supply specifics on the materials used to package infant formula, foods for special dietary use and novel foods, the agency states.
Health Canada has also established drinking water guidelines for PFOS, PFOA and screening values for nine other PFAS.
Global News reached out to Health Canada with questions on the study’s findings but has not yet received a response.
Diamond said Canada needs higher regulation and transparency, pointing to the examples of the USA and Europe.
Within the U.S., several states have already passed laws restricting using PFAS in food packaging and the Environmental Protection Agency can also be proposing the primary federal limits on “ceaselessly chemicals” in drinking water.
The European Union (EU) is considering similar laws to ban all the class of PFAS. In Denmark, PFAS-containing cardboard and paper in food packaging are banned.
“I need to see the Canadian government move towards restricting PFAS as a category from products during which using PFAS is non-essential,” Diamond said.
The company sector also must take responsibility and take away PFAS from their use, she added.
“Half of the packaging we tested didn’t have PFAS, so we all know there are alternatives, however the food packaging industry should move away faster from using PFAS.”