New research has identified coffee, eggs, white rice, and seafood as contributors to higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the human body, according to a study involving 3,000 pregnant mothers. PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and their potential health risks, including cancer and reproductive issues.
Conducted by researchers from Dartmouth, the study suggests that coffee and white rice may have higher contamination rates compared to other foods. Additionally, an association was found between red meat consumption and increased levels of PFOS, a prevalent PFAS compound.
Megan Romano, lead author and Dartmouth researcher, emphasized the pervasive nature of PFAS and stressed the importance of preventing their entry into the environment and food supply. “Now we’re in a situation where they’re everywhere and are going to stick around even if we do aggressive remediation,” Romano stated.
PFAS, numbering around 16,000 compounds, are used to create products resistant to water, stains, and heat. Their presence in food is primarily attributed to contaminated soil, agricultural water, non-stick cookware, and food packaging. The study highlighted higher PFAS levels in eggs from backyard chickens, potentially due to feed contaminated by sewage sludge used as fertilizer.
Contamination in coffee is suspected to originate from beans, brewing water, or packaging materials treated with PFAS. Seafood, commonly polluted by waterborne PFAS, also showed elevated levels in the study.
Public health advocates argue for a ban on non-essential uses of PFAS to mitigate widespread exposure through food and other sources. Romano suggested that diets rich in fruits, whole grains, and dietary fiber were associated with lower PFAS levels, advocating for varied protein sources to further reduce exposure to contaminants in food.
The findings underscore the need for robust environmental stewardship and regulatory measures to safeguard food safety and public health in light of the ubiquity of PFAS contamination.