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In a surprise Corona focused on, a new study found that two chemicals commonly found in processed foods can harm the immune system, such as tri-butylhydroquinone TBHQ, a preservative found in more than 1,000 types of food. .
Researchers from the nonprofit EWG foundation, concerned about health and environmental matters, also discovered another chemical, per- and polyfluoroalkyl PFAS, which is a group of synthetic chemicals that can leach into foods from packaging materials, and can also be harmful, according to which he published the Live Science website.
Corona caught the eye
Principal investigator of the study Olga Naidenko, EWG vice president for scientific research, said in a statement that Corona has focused public and scientific attention on environmental factors that may affect the immune system. .
She added that before the pandemic, chemicals that could interfere with the functions of the immune system against infections or cancer were not receiving enough attention from public health agencies, stressing the need to change addiction to these harmful chemicals to protect public health.
The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, also found that these chemicals showed potential harmful effects on the immune system in animal studies.
Expression of immunity (iStock)
Sufficient justification to raise concerns
Meanwhile, according to Dr. Kenneth Spyth, an occupational and environmental medicine specialist at Northwell Health in New York City, the results are sufficient to justify concerns about human immunity.
He pointed out that it is clear that the products included in the particular study are widely used food products, which makes them an essential ingredient.
3 types
Dr Speth also revealed that throughout history there have been a number of health and safety issues resulting from food contaminants and additives to processed foods, indicating that some of these chemicals are added directly to food, while others result from the breakdown of other products. chemicals, and some of them Some are like PFAS, which can leach into foods during packaging.
(iStock)
In addition, the researchers felt that further testing of these chemicals and their potential toxic effects should be a priority for scientific research, calling on the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to review the latest results from the scientific research on TBHQ and other substances that are added to preserved foods.
A popular antioxidant
In a statement to Live Science, Chris Bahner, spokesperson for a company in the food industry, said providing consumers with safe, delicious and high-quality food is a top priority, noting that TBHQ is an antioxidant. common, FDA approved for safe use, and used by many. These are companies in many products to help protect and refresh the food product.
Materials we use for food packaging (iStock)
For his part, toxicologist and study co-investigator Alexis Timkin told Live Science that for PFAS, animal and epidemiological studies indicate that these chemicals may be toxic to the immune system.
And the authors wrote in their study that higher levels of PFAS in humans are associated with decreased production of antibodies that the human body can produce in response to vaccinations. The researchers cited the results of a 2013 study published in the Journal of Immunotoxicology that found infants exposed to higher levels of PFAS chemicals in the womb had less frequent production of antibodies.
Food packaging (iStock)
It should be noted that the researchers indicated that the FDA approved the use of TBHQ decades ago.
Scott Faber, senior vice president of government affairs at EWG, also said the research shows how important it is for the FDA to take a second look at these ingredients and test all chemicals for safety. food.
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