Chemicals in pizza boxes identified as polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl, or PFASs are now on a much hyped alarm after 200 researchers from 38 countries signed a petition for its restriction.
These chemicals in pizza boxes are also found commonly in microwave popcorn bags, cosmetics, and carpet treatments are linked to more dangerous health implications such as exposing one to higher cancer risk, the International Business Times reported.
The study done by the group of international scientists is calling to ban the use of PFASs, which are normally used chemicals in pizza boxes. They urged to explore the use of other safe options as the chemical is not only dangerous for humans, but also to the environment.
The group of international scientists presented their National Institutes of Health study that was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives on Friday.
Although chemicals in pizza boxes can extend a product's shelf-life and make it sturdier, it can bring more health risk including thyroid disease and kidney cancer.
"Research is needed to understand the potential for adverse health effects from exposure to the short-chain PFASs, especially regarding low-dose endocrine disruption and immunotoxicity," wrote by authors Linda S. Birnbaum, from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program and Philippe Grandjean, from the Harvard School of Public Health.
PFASs are not only the chemicals in pizza boxes, it has been widely used in several products including cars and planes, footwear, electronics (cell phones), backpacks, sleeping bags, and even hospital equipments.
The study that has become a year debate already made the DuPont, chemical manufacturer to stop using PFASs, the chemicals in pizza boxes to be used in their Teflon products, the New York Times reported.
However, the study was counteracted by the American Chemistry Council, the industry trade association, saying that the chemicals PFASs are "essential technology for many aspects of modern life."
The association said that chemicals in pizza boxes make the boxes remain sturdy even when grease soaks into them.
In the earlier studies in years 2003 and 2005, it was detected that PFASs remain in the bodies of people after their exposure to it. This happening links to increase exposure to certain cancers.
However, even many manufacturers have already replaced PFASs in their products it has been found that these chemicals like the chemicals in pizza boxes have the same structure as the PFASs so it is still feared to cause some health hazards.
Thomas F. Webster, a professor of environmental health at Boston University's school of public health said that, still it is safe to prevent PFASs products like chemicals in pizza boxes as much as possible.
