Concerns have been raised by certain experts after a component of rocket fuel was found in food. Recent Consumer Reports research revealed that perchlorate, a chemical used in explosives, airbags, missiles, and some polymers, has been detected in a number of food products.
To find out if perchlorate was present in 196 samples from 63 grocery store products and 10 fast food items, researchers conducted an analysis. The chemical was shown to be more likely to be present in some food categories than others, especially those tagged as "baby or kid food."
But what is perchlorate precisely, and how worried should you be about these results? Allow me to explain.
Describe perchlorate.
One chemical substance that is utilized in many different contexts, such as rocket fuel, is perchlorate. As the principal oxidant for igniting rocket fuel, it effectively replaces oxygen, according to John D. Coates, Ph.D., director of the Energy and Biosciences Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. It can be stored as a dry powder at atmospheric pressure.
Perchlorate can also be a result of bleach, according to Jamie Alan, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. John D. Coates further highlights the fact that perchlorate is easily dispersed throughout the ecosystem due to its high water solubility and rapid mobility in soils and sediments.
Which foods have been discovered to contain perchlorate?
Fresh fruits and vegetables, quick meals, and infant and child foods have been found to have the greatest perchlorate amounts. Goods kept in plastic containers also had higher amounts, as did goods wrapped in paperboard and plastic.
According to consumer reports, food appears to be the most prevalent method by which individuals are exposed to perchlorate, even though it can seep into water systems.
What signs of exposure to perchlorate might manifest?
According to Coates, perchlorate might cause problems with thyroid function. It might interfere with the iodine-regulated thyroid hormone production, which could result in hypothyroidism. A slower heart rate, depression, weariness, and weight gain are among the symptoms that this illness can bring, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Coates does note, though, that perchlorate is occasionally used to treat hyperthyroidism.
Kirk points out, "Thyroid hormones play a critical role in brain development, making children more susceptible to exposure to perchlorate, especially newborns and developing fetuses. Excessive perchlorate can have temporary effects on adults, but lasting harm can occur to newborns."
Adults exposed to high concentrations of perchlorate, according to Kirk, may have symptoms like dry skin, coarse hair, and diminished energy. She also notes that this exposure may cause infants to have a lower IQ than anticipated.
Preventive actions
Since many processed and marketed goods containing perchlorate are "kid-friendly," Alan suggests cutting back on consumption of these products may be beneficial.
Kirk advises finding out if the water quality report for your town—which is typically accessible online—contains information regarding the amount of perchlorate in your water. She suggests "using a water filter if the levels are high," stressing the significance of making sure the filter is made to eliminate perchlorate.
Kirk adds that "estimating the amount of perchlorate in food items is difficult." "Minimize exposure through food by keeping a varied diet," is her advice.