Alarming Pfas pollution in grain products: results on June 3!

Alarming Pfas pollution in grain products: results on June 3!

The environmental protection organization Global 2000, together with the Chamber of Labor in Upper Austria, tested 48 grain products from eight federal states in Austria for the dangerous chemicals PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds). The results of this comprehensive investigation are to be presented in an online press conference on Tuesday, June 3 at 9 a.m. At this press conference, Dr. Helmut Burtscher damage, study author and environmental chemist from Global 2000, as well as Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hans Peter Arp, PFAS expert from the Technical University of Norway, take part.

of the tested products were 24 biological and 24 conventional grain products. In the previous analyzes, there was a worrying result: organic products had a better pollutant balance overall, but the overall burden by PFAs was alarming. These results underline the urgent political need for action in order to protect the population from the health risks of these chemicals. The link to the press conference can be found here (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/863467821?pwd=6li0kyzzomgpvhg1tcy8xglqpuxdG.1) (Meeting-ID: 863 4678 2521, Kenn code: 749846).

Health risks by Pfas

PFAS are known as dangerous chemicals, the effects of which are comprehensively examined. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has created several risk reviews of PFOs and PFOA. In particular, the 2018 re -ratings set a tolerable weekly recording quantity (TWI) of 13 ng/kg body weight for PFOS and 6 ng/kg body weight for PfoA to minimize health risks. These values ​​aim to protect the population from increased cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases and other long-term health damage associated with these substances.

In recent years there has been an increasingly strict regulation of these chemicals in the EU. The use of PFOs has been banned in Europe since 2010 and Pfoa since 2020. In addition, the European chemical agency (ECHA) published a proposal for a ban on at least 10,000 PFAs on February 7, 2023. In order to reduce the burden of these chemicals, the Ministry of Climate Protection has launched a PFAS action plan that includes measures to protect water and food.

The importance of the test results

The results of the tests have far -reaching implications. Due to the proven health risks and the binding regulative framework conditions, the need for strict monitoring and improved regulations becomes clear. From toxin potential to health impairments that can result from the accumulation of PFAs in the body, urgency is becoming increasingly apparent for political measures.

The results of the Global 2000 study are eagerly awaited because they could provide important information that serves as the basis for political decisions. While organic products are better off in the tests, the overall burden for all products remains an alarming sign that immediate measures are required to protect consumers.