Spring Break
Researchers identify new carcinogen
Compound used in non-stick cookware, microwavable popcorn bags poses risks
Evan Miller
Issue date: 5/27/08 Section: News
Did you know that the non-stick coating in your frying pan might cause cancer?
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered that exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA increases occurrence of liver cancer in trout.
PFOA is a byproduct found in many non-stick materials, such as Teflon and Scotchguard, as well as some food packaging like microwave popcorn bags and candy wrappers.
It breaks down slowly and is regularly ingested by humans and animals all over the world.
The EPA identified PFOA as a likely carcinogen in 2006 after it was shown to increase cancer in lab rats.
However, the mechanism that allowed PFOA to cause cancer in the rats is unlikely to cause cancer in humans.
The new OSU research has found a different mechanism for the chemical to cause cancer. In both trout and humans, an overabundance of estrogen can cause cancer.
The new research on PFOA has shown that it can cause cancer similar to the way estrogen does.
"An even greater concern is the total exposure to many environmental pollutants that mimic the action of natural estrogen hormones," said Abby Benninghoff, an OSU toxicologist involved in the research.
"There are dozens of chemicals capable of estrogen-like action, and it is possible that these may work cooperatively to increase risk of cancer, developmental or reproductive defects."
The EPA has been looking into the effects of PFOA since the late 1990s when the chemical was found in the blood of much of the American population.
The EPA then pressured DuPont and 3M, the largest producers of PFOA, to discontinue the chemical's production
Both companies have said they will phase out use of the chemical.
"PFOA is very persistent in the environment and was being found at very low levels both in the environment and in the blood of the general U.S. population," Benninghoff said.
According to the EPA, studies indicated that PFOA can cause developmental and other adverse effects in laboratory animals.
PFOA was at the center of a lawsuit filed by the EPA against DuPont. The EPA claimed DuPont had been covering up evidence of potential harmful effects of PFOA.
The case was settled out of court, with DuPont paying $16 million in fines.
Not everyone is concerned with yet another cancer risk.
"I feel like I've been lied to my whole life," said Jimmy Stephenson, a sophomore in business administration. "It seems like everything causes cancer, so I'm not going to change how I do anything."
The study can be found online at http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2008/11190/abstract.pdf.
Evan Miller, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered that exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA increases occurrence of liver cancer in trout.
PFOA is a byproduct found in many non-stick materials, such as Teflon and Scotchguard, as well as some food packaging like microwave popcorn bags and candy wrappers.
It breaks down slowly and is regularly ingested by humans and animals all over the world.
The EPA identified PFOA as a likely carcinogen in 2006 after it was shown to increase cancer in lab rats.
However, the mechanism that allowed PFOA to cause cancer in the rats is unlikely to cause cancer in humans.
The new OSU research has found a different mechanism for the chemical to cause cancer. In both trout and humans, an overabundance of estrogen can cause cancer.
The new research on PFOA has shown that it can cause cancer similar to the way estrogen does.
"An even greater concern is the total exposure to many environmental pollutants that mimic the action of natural estrogen hormones," said Abby Benninghoff, an OSU toxicologist involved in the research.
"There are dozens of chemicals capable of estrogen-like action, and it is possible that these may work cooperatively to increase risk of cancer, developmental or reproductive defects."
The EPA has been looking into the effects of PFOA since the late 1990s when the chemical was found in the blood of much of the American population.
The EPA then pressured DuPont and 3M, the largest producers of PFOA, to discontinue the chemical's production
Both companies have said they will phase out use of the chemical.
"PFOA is very persistent in the environment and was being found at very low levels both in the environment and in the blood of the general U.S. population," Benninghoff said.
According to the EPA, studies indicated that PFOA can cause developmental and other adverse effects in laboratory animals.
PFOA was at the center of a lawsuit filed by the EPA against DuPont. The EPA claimed DuPont had been covering up evidence of potential harmful effects of PFOA.
The case was settled out of court, with DuPont paying $16 million in fines.
Not everyone is concerned with yet another cancer risk.
"I feel like I've been lied to my whole life," said Jimmy Stephenson, a sophomore in business administration. "It seems like everything causes cancer, so I'm not going to change how I do anything."
The study can be found online at http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2008/11190/abstract.pdf.
Evan Miller, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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