Eating out, either in a container or in a restaurant and flossing afterward, are routine tasks for many people. However, a new study has found that they could be exposing their users to potentially dangerous chemicals.
Toxic substances
Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become a daily part of human life. These waterproof and greaseproof substances are present in many products, from fast food containers to certain types of clothing. Humans also face their exposure through contaminated water and even dust.
However, what is most concerning, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is that these man-made chemicals continue to accumulate in the body without breaking down.
Regular exposure to these toxic chemicals has led some researchers to examine their impact on human health. So far, the results have shown a link to health problems like high cholesterol, kidney and testicular cancer, and thyroid disease.
Now, a new study has delved into typical human behaviors to see if any were associated with PFAS exposure. The participants were 178 middle-aged women, of whom half were African-American and the other half were non-Hispanic white. Their goal was to determine the impact that environmental chemicals and other things have on disease.
PFAS levels of dental floss
Scientists at the Silent Spring Institute and the Institute of Public Health in Berkeley, California, used blood samples taken from the women in 2010-2013.
Examining the samples they found detectable levels of 11 types of PFAS . They also interviewed each woman at some point in 2015–2016, asking a series of questions about behaviors potentially related to PFAS exposure (such as eating food or flossing).
Once the scientists analyzed all the blood measurements, they compared them to the responses the women gave. The results were published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.
The most surprising observation the study made was that certain flossing appeared to produce elevated levels of PFAS.
The researchers further studied this association by testing 18 different dental floss (including three Glide products) for fluoride , which also indicates the presence of PFAS.
They revealed that Oral-B Glide dental floss turned positive for fluoride. This coincided with the results of women with higher levels of a PFAS called PFHxS in their blood.
Changing behaviors
Other findings included that African American women who reported that they regularly ate foods prepared in coated cardboard containers, such as takeout, had higher levels of four types of PFAS in their blood. This result was compared with women who reported that they rarely ate such foods.
Living in an area with a PFAS-contaminated water supply and living in a home with stain-resistant carpets or furniture also showed links to higher levels of PFAS in the blood.
The scientists also noted that non-Hispanic white women had elevated levels of two PFAS: PFOA and PFHxS.
It is not clear why this was not the case for African American women, but this difference could be due to a different type of behavior that the researchers did not measure.
The number of participants and the fact that the majority lived in California are also limitations, along with the lack of research on Hispanic and Asian-American people.
Despite this, ” this is the first study to show that flossing containing PFAS is associated with an increased body burden of these toxic chemicals. The good news is that, based on our findings, consumers can choose floss that do not contain PFAS, “explains Katie Boronowm, leader of the work.
Companies should consider “restricting these chemicals” as a priority, say the authors.
Reference: Serum concentrations of PFASs and exposure-related behaviors in African American and non-Hispanic white women. Katherine E. Boronow, Julia Green Brody, Laurel A. Schaider, Graham F. Peaslee, Laurie Havas & Barbara A. Cohn. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology (2019) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-018-0109-y
What does Europe say about it?
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will review the tolerable intakes of two perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) and therefore the conclusions are provisional for the moment.
The European Commission has requested EFSA to reassess the risks that PFAS pose to human health using data available since their original assessment in 2008. The Panel’s work is ongoing and scheduled for completion in spring 2019.
The production, marketing and use of PFOS is regulated by the EU laws on persistent organic pollutants (EC Regulation 850/2004). Restrictions related to the manufacture and placing of PFOA on the market will take effect on July 4, 2020 , after scientific evaluations carried out by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
