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Compostable fast-food packaging can emit volatile PFAS

cen.acs.org

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Re: Compostable fast-food packaging can emit volatile PFAS

#21

Post by justinator »

ericpauley wrote: post #13
justinator wrote: post #4

PFAS in dental floss: https://www.ehn.org/pfas-floss-2658203711.html

Not bashing the conclusion, but I seriously thought it was common knowledge that Oral B glide and equivalent products were PTFE based. It’s also annoying that people lump PTFE with other PFAS when it is pretty clearly less of an issue (note: not completely trouble free) in most cases.

>but I seriously thought it was common knowledge that Oral B glide and equivalent products were PTFE based

Nope. I bought it because I absolutely hate flossing, and I absolutely need to floss, so I bought Oral B Glide as an effort to get myself to floss.

Re: Compostable fast-food packaging can emit volatile PFAS

#22

Post by tectonic »

jiggywiggy wrote: post #18
tectonic wrote: post #7

Just. Stop. Putting. Teflon. On. Everything. Figuring out what does and does not have PFAS on it to protect my family is exhausting and infuriating. I’ve emailed with manufacturers, sent stuff to labs; basically, no one seems to know how much materials like this are used on every day products.

It's not just teflon. It's most likely also going to be it's successors. Its going to deemed safe for a while till it's not. Most properties desired while at the same time being cheap and durable will leak and will not play nice and with our cells or hormone system. Especially because the goal of most of these chemical is to be cheaper the cheap. (Otherwise we would just use glass)

Yes agreed. Teflon is shorthand for all of the fluorinated hydrocarbons in my mind. I know they’re not identical but they’re close enough and most if not all will end up being found to be toxic.

The problem is a lack of a precautionary principle— manufacturers can change one molecule and re-market their product and groups like the EPA have to do extensive research on each new variant to show danger. Molecules are assumed safe and marketable until shown otherwise by underfunded agencies. It’s insane.

Re: Compostable fast-food packaging can emit volatile PFAS

#24

Post by hanniabu »

olao99 wrote: post #19
jacobsimon wrote: post #5

Dumb question but…why do humans keep using toxic chemicals for cooking and storing food? Surely we can find something edible.

Because they're legal. We would still use asbestos and lead if it were not because of the legality question

If asbestos was introduced today I'm doubtful it'd be outlawed

Re: Compostable fast-food packaging can emit volatile PFAS

#25

Post by uejfiweun »

Looking at a lot of what you folks posted, it seems like PFAS are in just about everything, and there's no realistic way to avoid them without an absurd amount of effort. And they are unlikely to be regulated soon.

So realistically, what's going to happen to people? We're all inevitably going to accumulate a bunch of PFAS, so what exactly can I expect for the future of my health?

Re: Compostable fast-food packaging can emit volatile PFAS

#26

Post by janosdebugs »

So, when you order from the average restaurant, you get a meal made of pre-portioned frozen ingredients containing sometimes questionable substances and you also get poisoned by the packaging. And the restaurant industry is complaining. Makes sense. (If you are a German-speaker, ZDFbesseresser is a worthwhile channel to watch. We basically all but stopped going to or ordering from restaurants.)

Re: Compostable fast-food packaging can emit volatile PFAS

#27

Post by kube-system »

jacobsimon wrote: post #5

Dumb question but…why do humans keep using toxic chemicals for cooking and storing food? Surely we can find something edible.

They’re chosen because they have other practical qualities that were desirable. Often we don’t fully realize the drawbacks of materials we use with our food until many years after they are widespread.

Re: Compostable fast-food packaging can emit volatile PFAS

#28

Post by floren »

waboremo wrote: post #20
geepytee wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What do you use to store food? I obviously need to go find some alternatives now.

Glass containers are fantastic and usually cheap enough. Whether it's spice jars or leftover food containers, it all works great. Make sure the lids are also either glass, wood, or stainless steel. The one "downside" is you do need adequate cushion if you're taking it on the go say for lunch or to a dinner gathering, but even a towel wrapped around suffice. If you want recommendations, the Ikea 365+ glass containers…

I got glass containers with plastic lids because I figure the lid rarely contacts the food, and I always take it off to microwave... although now that I'm thinking about it, I usually put that plastic splatter guard thing over the container in the microwave which probably isn't much better.

Re: Compostable fast-food packaging can emit volatile PFAS

#29

Post by samwillis »

tectonic wrote: post #7

Just. Stop. Putting. Teflon. On. Everything. Figuring out what does and does not have PFAS on it to protect my family is exhausting and infuriating. I’ve emailed with manufacturers, sent stuff to labs; basically, no one seems to know how much materials like this are used on every day products.

> I’ve ... sent stuff to labs;

I really want more details here! Sounds super interesting.

Re: Compostable fast-food packaging can emit volatile PFAS

#30

Post by agtech_andy »

The reality is that US regulatory agencies have been extremely permissive for many years. Many other nations piggy back on their findings. We need a massive increase in enforcement.

What we will see with cheaper and more available testing is that PFAS are everywhere. It is hard to find waterways or soils, even in remote areas, that are not contaminated. It is really tragic and the extent of the pollution can make you crazy.

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