9936 chemicals found in plastic products used for food packaging • Earth.com

We use plastic wrap, containers and packaging all the time. It’s convenient, affordable and seemingly everywhere. Recent research by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) reveals a shocking truth: our plastic food packaging contains thousands of different chemicals that can pose significant health risks.

Chemicals in plastic food packaging

Scientists have discovered as many as 9,936 different chemicals in a single plastic product used to package food. This finding underlines the huge gaps in our understanding of the precise chemical composition of everyday plastic objects and their potential impact on our well-being.

“Plastic is a very complex material that can contain many different chemicals, some of which can be harmful. This also applies to plastic food packaging,” says Martin Wagner, an NTNU professor who specializes in plastic chemicals.

Consequences of plastic food packaging

Many of the chemicals found in plastic food packaging are not just passive elements; they actively disrupt crucial bodily functions. These disruptions can have profound and potentially long-lasting health consequences.

Messing with the metabolism

Metabolism is essentially the engine of your body. It converts the food you eat into energy, fuels cellular processes and regulates how nutrients are stored and used.

This complex system is finely tuned and ensures that your body functions efficiently. However, chemicals leaching from plastic food packaging can disrupt this system.

For example, certain chemicals can mimic or block natural hormonal signals that control metabolism. This interference can lead to a decrease in metabolic efficiency, impacting energy levels, weight management, and overall health.

The disruption can also affect the way your body processes vitamins and minerals, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies.

Hormonal havoc

Hormones play a crucial role in regulating virtually every bodily function, including growth, development, metabolism and mood. They act as messengers, sending signals throughout the body to maintain balance and respond to changes in the environment.

However, the chemicals in plastic packaging can disrupt this delicate balance. Some chemicals act as endocrine disruptors, meaning they can mimic or inhibit natural hormones.

When these chemicals enter the body, they can bind to hormone receptors, block natural hormonal messages or alter the normal production of hormones.

This disruption can lead to a host of health problems, ranging from developmental and reproductive problems to immune system dysfunction and behavioral changes.

“We found chemicals in most of these plastic products that can affect hormone secretion and metabolism,” says Wagner.

But isn’t plastic inert?

You might think that plastic is harmless; it is simply a chemically neutral substance. However, as another recent NTNU study shows, scientists have found that different combinations of plastic chemicals can affect the way your body sends and receives signals.

This finding suggests that the impact of plastic goes beyond just containing goods. Instead, it actively engages in biological processes, potentially leading to a cascade of unwanted effects.

The implication here is stark: far from being chemically neutral, plastic contains a variety of active substances that can disrupt our body’s most basic functions.

What can we do?

While the discovery of harmful chemicals in plastic food packaging is indeed concerning, it’s important to remember that you have the power to make choices that reduce your exposure and improve your overall health.

Choose safer alternatives

Glass or steel containers are considered the safest bet. These materials are inert, meaning they do not react with the food stored in them.

Glass and steel are durable, reusable and free of the chemicals commonly found in plastics. Using glass or stainless steel containers for daily food storage and meal preparation can significantly reduce your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

Avoid heating food in plastic

When plastic is heated, in a microwave or otherwise, it increases the chance of chemical leaching. To avoid this risk, never use plastic containers to heat food in the microwave. Instead, place the food in glass or ceramic containers designed to withstand high temperatures.

Be informed and vigilant

Start by familiarizing yourself with the materials used in the products you purchase. Look specifically for products labeled “BPA-free.”

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the better known chemicals that can leach from plastics and has been linked to several health problems, including hormonal disruptions and an increased risk of cancer.

Although BPA-free products are a safer choice, they may still contain other harmful chemicals. Continued caution and a push for broader safety testing and transparency in labeling are therefore essential.

Taking these steps can significantly reduce your personal and family’s exposure to harmful chemicals in plastic products.

While broader change in the way plastics are manufactured must come from industry and legislation, individual actions can collectively lead to increased demand for safer products and ultimately lead to changes in manufacturing practices.

A call for safer plastics

Martin Wagner and his team believe the problem is not the plastic itself, but the chemicals added to it. With more research into exactly which chemicals pose the greatest threat, we could one day have plastic packaging that is completely safe – a win for both our health and the environment.

While we still don’t know the long-term effects of continued exposure to these chemicals, NTNU scientists believe now is the time to rethink our plastic production.

“These and previous findings show that plastic exposes us to toxic chemicals. They support the theory that we need to redesign plastic to make it safer,” says Wagner.

The research has been published in the journal Environmental sciences and technology.

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