Fast food wrappers contain cancer causing chemicals: study

Fast food packaging materials may contain chemicals that have been associated with cancer and other health issues, warns a new study that tested more than 400 samples of wrapping papers.
Researchers, including those from University of Notre Dame in the US, tested over 400 samples of packaging materials, including hamburger and sandwich wrappers, pastry bags, beverage cups and French fry containers.
They found evidence of fluorinated compounds called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Previous studies have shown that these PFASs can migrate, contaminating the food and, when consumed, accumulating in the body.
Of the materials tested, these chemicals were found in 56 per cent of dessert and bread wrappers, 38 per cent of sandwich and burger wrappers and 20 per cent of paperboard.

"This is a really persistent chemical. It gets in the bloodstream, it stays there and accumulates. There are diseases that correlate to it, so we really do not want this class of chemicals out there," said Graham Peaslee, professor at the University of Notre Dame.
Peaslee used a novel specialised method called particle-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) spectroscopy, which he developed to analyse the total fluorine content of each piece of packaging. It is an efficient and cost-effective way to measure the presence of chemicals 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 per cent of the intake leaves the human body.
"These chemicals do not biodegrade. They do not naturally degrade. They persist in the environment for a very long time," said Peaslee.
Samples were collected from a total of 27 fast food restaurant chains in and around Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington and 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. However, 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 is in their packaging.
"This is a wake-up call for those companies and the consumers," said Peaslee.
Researchers are hopeful that the study will encourage fast food restaurants to choose nontoxic alternatives such as plastic coatings, aluminium foil or wax paper.
The study was published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.