Phthalates added in packaging and other food contact materials (MOCAs) may play a role in premature mortality, Such are the conclusions reached in a large cohort study, conducted in the U.S., just published in Environmental Pollution. (1)
Phthalates in packaging and premature mortality, the US study
The research followed the fate of 5,303 adults(over 20) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the U.S. between 2001 and 2010 by measuring in urine samples and monitoring phthalate metabolites.
The results show an increased likelihood of premature mortality from any cause, from heart disease and cancer in particular, in adults with the highest urinary phthalate concentrations in the 55-64 age group.
Based on their sample and analysis, researchers estimate that phthalate exposure affects about 100 thousand deaths each year, with a social cost in excess of $39 billion. A couple more reasons to eliminate the risk.
Phthalates in packaging and MOCAs, alarm also in Europe
The phthalate scare-substances added to make plastic soft-also concerns Europe. Earlier this year, the Swedish Chemical Safety Agency (KEMI) found DEHP, DBP and BPA (three endocrine-disrupting phthalates that are harmful to reproduction, among other things) in 80 percent of the packaging tested. Everyday materials, such as as pizza boxes, bags of chips, hamburger wrappers. (2)
In confirmation, theRapid Alarm System for Food and Feed (RASFF) portal reports the presence of phthalates in food contact items. The list includes plastic cups, nursing bottles, temperature-sensing spoons for weaning, vegetable canning jars, lids of containers including glass. (3)
Self-defense waiting for Europe
The elimination of health-threatening chemicals remains a mirage. Endocrine disruptors lurk in food contact materials, cosmetics and clothing, and kitchen appliances.
Pending measures to protect the European population, all that remains is to be wary of soft plastics, eliminating their presence in the lives of children, who are much more vulnerable.
Notes
(1) Leonardo Trasande, Buyun Liu, Wei Bao, Phthalates and attributable mortality: A population-based longitudinal cohort study and cost analysis, Environmental Pollution, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118021
(2) See Marta Strinati, Paper and cardboard food packaging, toxic substances in 80% of cases, GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade), 2.2.21. https://www. greatitalianfoodtrade.it/imballaggi/imballaggi-in-carta-e-cartone-per-alimenti-sostanze-tossiche-nell-80-dei-casi
(3) See the alerts registered in the RASFF:
- Migration of dibutyl phtalate (DBP), issued by Belgium on 11.10.21. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/507746
- Bisphenol A in tinned peas from Poland, issued by Ireland on 13.4.21. https://webgate. ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/471691
- Cyclo-di-BADGE (CdB) and bisphenol A in canned coconut milk from Thailand, reported by Germany on 12.2.21. https://webgate. ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/465871
- Alert issued by Spain on 17.7.20. Migration of di (2-ethylhexyl) phtalate (DEHP) from lids of glass jars containing chontaduro from Colombia. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/435606
- Notification forwarded by Germany on 3.6.20. Migration of bisphenol A to food at Baby Sensor Spoons from Belgium. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/430306
- Migration of DBP – dibutyl phthalate in travelcup from India, relaunched by the European Commission on 17.1.20 https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/417565.
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
