Detecting suspected substance causing cancer in cup, styrofoam box

Scientists warn, a chemical used in styrofoam cups, a foam rice container and other disposable food containers, can cause cancer.

In its latest recommendation, the US National Research Council affirmed that styrene, inherently popular in styrofoam cups, and a disposable plastic lunch box and disposable food containers, may be sufficient to considered a human carcinogen. The conclusion was made by a group of 10 experts in toxicology, chemistry and health, drawing on their research and analytical studies.

However, the Newsday newspaper quoted Dr. Jane Henney, the lead researcher, emphasizing that this is the conclusion of a risk assessment process. Dr. Henney, who held the top position of the US Food and Drug Administration under former President Bill Clinton, explains: "The synonym statement has scientific evidence that styrene causes cancer, but there may also be alternative explanations, such as misfortune, misleading or mistaken factors ".

Henney added that evidence of styrene is not yet clear as evidence of the dangers of cigarettes.

The new National Research Council recommendation is consistent with the agency's warning three years ago, when fears were raised about the possibility of styrene and cancer involvement.

Even so, the American Chemical Council once voiced protection for styrene when claiming that: "Polystyrene plastics have been used in food-related products, such as coffee styrofoam cups, lunch boxes. or ready food, spoon and fork, for over five decades.

Polystyrene has been approved by the regulatory authorities as safe for use in contact with food. For example, polystyrene has met the strict standards of the US Food and Drug Administration as well as the European Commission's European Food Safety Authority, for use in packaging for storage and contain food".

Earlier this month, British scientists raised an alarm that more than 170 dangerous chemicals, including styrene, were being used legally to produce product packaging. The food packaging forum warns that toxic substances, which are found to cause cancer and trigger genetic changes, can be absorbed into the food they contain.

The study, published in Food Additives and Contaminants, found about 175 chemicals with different effects. These substances affect sperm production, causing genital deformities and destroying the production of hormones in the body. However, the European Food Standards Agency reassures consumers that all food packaging meets standards and that the existence of chemicals is nothing to worry about if they are used. within the allowable limits.