(NewsNation) — Common food packaging materials — like shrink wrap, paper, cardboard and plastic — contain dozens of chemicals linked to breast cancer, researchers say.
Published in Frontiers in Toxicology, a new article reports that 143 chemicals found in plastic are linked to breast cancer, while 89 were found in cardboard.
The research team compared chemicals found in packaging with those listed in the Food Packaging Forum’s database, noting that humans are regularly exposed to 76 of the carcinogenic chemicals through food.
In fact, many of them — 40 of those 76 — are already classified as hazardous internationally. Researchers say this shows existing regulations might not be enough to fully prevent exposure.
“Reducing population-wide exposure to potential mammary carcinogens can be achieved by science-based policy amendments addressing the assessment and management of food contact chemicals,” the article reads.
The chemicals, including PFAs, bisphenols and phthalates, are known to be hazardous to health. PFAs resist breaking down naturally and can build up in the body over time, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”
They are associated with higher risk of certain cancers, such as kidney and testicular, as well as low birthweight, high cholesterol and pregnancy-induced hypertension, according to the CDC.
This data just days after a peer-reviewed research published in the the journal Nature which found just over 3,600 chemicals — including some known carcinogens — were passed from food packaging to humans.
The study cross-examined 14,000 chemicals approved for food contact with databases and biomonitoring programs, which researchers acknowledged as only a partial view of human chemical accumulation:
“Humans are known to be exposed to FCCs via foods, but the full extent of human exposure to all FCCs is unknown … [they] are exposed synthetic chemicals from food, drugs, household and personal care products, and environmental pollutants.”
Nexstar’s Ashleigh Jackson and Ashley Bihun contributed to the report.