Is Microwave Popcorn a risk for cancer and lung disease?
Rebeca is a health and wellness writer with over a decade of experience covering topics such as digestion, pain management, andholistic nutrition.
Several scientific studies have shown that the use of diacetyl and other chemicals in microwave popcorn bags is unsafe because of the risk of lung damage.
Between 2002 and 2015, diacetyl and other substances were phased out from microwave popcorn.Consumers should be aware that some chemicals are still being used.
The healthiest way to eat popcorn is to use an air popper followed by light seasoning.
You may want to consider the chemicals used to coat its packaging if you are avoiding unhealthy snacks by reaching for low-fat and low sodium treats like microwave popcorn.According to the EPA, these chemicals might include perfluoroalkyl substances.
They may include a subset of PFOA or C8, PFOS, GenX, and other chemicals found in common household products and in fast food packaging.
A 2020 report examined microwave popcorn packaging and 407 samples of paper, including paperboard food wrappers used by fast-food chains.
They found that people who habitually consume microwave popcorn and restaurant fast food have higher levels of PFAS in their blood.
The data showed that most of the food purchased from the grocery store was less likely to be contaminated by PFAS from packaging than fast food.Fast-food consumers and those who snacked on microwave popcorn had higher concentrations of PFAS in their blood.
There are 46 different PFASs found in microwave popcorn bags manufactured in 12 European countries and three American countries.
According to the EPA, several PFAS have been phased out and are no longer produced in the United States.They are still manufactured in other countries and can be found in a number of consumer products that are imported into the United States.
There are synthetic chemical compounds found in food packaging.PFAS are used in a wide variety of products.They are used in microwave popcorn bags that are water and grease resistant.
The global market has approximately 4,700 PFAS.Exposure to the chemicals can occur with direct contact with the products, but also through diet, drinking water, air, and dust.PFAS are hard to break down in the human body and are not susceptible to high temperatures.They can accumulate over time.
The symptoms of bronchiolitis obliterans are similar to those of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Popcorn lung is a chronic disease that eventually leads to respiratory failure.
Popcorn lung was brought to the public's attention in 2000 when public health authorities learned of workers at a Missouri microwave popcorn facility who had inhaled excessive and concentrated amounts of diacetyl, a butter flavoring, and were later diagnosed with irreversible lung disease.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety discovered that long-term exposure of diacetyl had a direct relationship with reduced lung capacity.
Diacetyl is a natural compound found in foods such as butter, yogurt, a variety of cheeses, and sour cream.It's added to many foods, including microwave popcorn.
In 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration deemed diacetyl to be "generally recognized as safe" as shown by centuries of human exposure to its natural presence in foods without any dire health consequences.
In the case of workers at microwave popcorn facilities across the Midwest, NIOSH studies found that those who worked for more than a year were exposed to higher levels of diacetyl fumes.
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid ( PFOA or C8) are both perfluorinated compounds and are used in a number of consumer products.There are chemicals in the environment that can be found in blood samples.
Studies using PFOA on rats resulted in several different types of cancer.There was a link between PFOA blood levels and cancer in chemical plant workers and people who lived near the facility.
Residents near the plant filed a class-action lawsuit in 2001 against the company.Three epidemiologists were appointed by the court to study whether PFOA had a role in contributing to health issues.They found that PFOA most likely contributed to health problems.
According to reports presented to the court, PFOA may have been the cause of six cases of cancer.
In production and use, PFOS was phased out.By the end of 2015, manufacturers in the United States stopped using PFOA in their products.It's not clear if production has moved to Asia despite the phasing out and cessation in the U.S. and Europe.
There were seven popcorn corn bags analyzed for PFOA and PFOS concentrations.Two of the microwave popcorn bags were above the accepted limit, while the other five were below the limit of detection.
Microwave popcorn no longer appears to be harmful to your health due to the removal of diacetyl and other chemicals.Some substances are still used in the packaging.
Emulsifiers, trans fats, and artificial flavoring are ingredients that are not optimal for nutrition or health.The American Heart Association has guidelines on how to make a healthy version of popcorn.
It is possible to ward off cancer risk by limiting processed foods and red meats.These recipes are for people who want to protect themselves and their loved ones.Get your guide by signing up.
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The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.PFAS are perfluoroalkyl substances.October 14, 2020.
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