Some recent studies have shown that the ‘forever chemicals’ found in non-stick kitchen utensils could cause cancer. It’s been linked to liver cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer deaths across the world. Unfortunately, many countries in the world also lack stringent rules and regulations to keep a check on the use of these chemicals in the manufacturing industry, experts say.
Can non-stick kitchen utensils cause cancer?
A 2022 study of a multiethnic cohort of adults from Los Angeles and Hawaii published in JHEP Reports found that exposure to high PFAS levels is linked to increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer). In an email interaction with Happiest Health, the lead author, Prof Jesse A Goodrich says, “We took blood samples from older adults without cancer, and then tracked whether they developed cancer later in life. We measured PFAS levels in their blood, and then looked at whether higher levels of PFAS were associated with higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We found that exposure to PFAS may increase the risk of HCC, the most common form of liver cancer.”
Also, an assistant professor at Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Prof Goodrich adds that as the participants in the study were exposed to PFAS before developing liver cancer, it is more likely that PFAS may have caused it.
Can PFAS cause liver cancer?
PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a common class of persistent pollutants. Experts explain PFAS are also known as forever chemicals because they don’t naturally break down and hence, can stay in our body for many years once exposed to them. PFAS are found in many common household products like non-stick pans, raincoats, gym accessories, food packaging, and even some makeup and drinking water due to groundwater pollution. Dr Dodul Mondal, associate director, oncology/radiation oncology, Max Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, says they are used in these products mainly for durability since they have an everlasting chemical bond. “As they have direct contact with food material being prepared in non-stick vessels, they have easy access to enter the body. Usually, any chemical substance can transform a normal cell into a cancerous cell by damaging the DNA. If the body’s self-defence mechanism is unable to remove that damaged DNA, and it persists in our body for a long time, it can have a potential to turn into cancer,” he says.
What is the danger of a forever chemical?
PFAS are also known as endocrine disrupting chemicals, which means that they can interfere with hormones to cause lots of different health problems. “These chemicals can get deposited in the liver, causing gradual fatty changes in the liver. When it happens for a long time, it gradually leads to cirrhosis and then can cause liver cancer,” he says.
Prof. Dr. Tom Cherian, Senior Liver Specialist & Transplant Surgeon – Manipal Hospitals, Vijayawada, and Founder of South Asian Liver Institute, says, however, these cases due to forever chemicals are very less compared to those due to Hepatitis (liver inflammation). “Fat is a kind of response to any injury. That’s common. Fatty liver could also be due to damage caused by alcohol,” he says.
Dr Mondal adds more evidence and data are required to establish non-stick kitchen utensils can cause cancer. Some international organizations like IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer), which is part of WHO, conduct a lot of epidemiological studies to identify the substances, which can have potential to cause cancer in human beings. “But unfortunately, as of now, strong data for this chemical and human cancer does not exist even though there are some studies which show some association,” he says
He further mentions that these chemicals are more commonly associated with testicular cancer and kidney cancer. “They can also cause cancers of ovary, uterus, thyroid and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer that starts in the lymphatic system).”
In her study, Prof Goodrich also looked at whether PFAS exposure led to differences in metabolites levels (small naturally occurring chemicals in the blood) that have previously been shown to increase the risk of liver cancer. She says, “This helped us look at the potential mechanisms of how PFAS may cause cancer. We found that PFAS were associated with higher levels of blood sugar, and that higher blood sugar was also associated with risk of liver cancer.”
How can I improve my liver health?
Prof Dr Cherian says, “When the utensils are getting too worn out and there are cracks in them, it is more likely that these chemicals get heated up and escape. So, maybe we shouldn’t overuse some coated utensils.”
Dr Mondal recommends using the age-old traditional utensils like iron utensils, ceramic or stainless-steel ones. Prof Goodrich says PFAS exposures can be modifiable either through individual behaviours or government regulation to help decrease the risk of HCC. Dr Mondal concludes as most countries do not have a specific law to regulate the manufacturing industry, the manufacturers do not even need to actually declare the presence of these chemicals in their products.
Apart from reducing PFAS exposure, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercises, avoiding smoking, alcohol and junk food can also help in improving liver health and reducing the risk of cancer.
Takeaways
- Forever chemicals like PFAS found in non-stick kitchen utensils are linked with liver cancer.
- PFAS are found in many common household products like non-stick pans, raincoats, gym accessories, food packaging, and even some makeup and drinking water due to groundwater pollution.
- Forever chemicals can damage the DNA and interfere with hormones, causing several health problems.
- They have also been shown to increase blood sugar levels, raising the risk for liver cancer.
- Precautionary measures include reducing PFAS exposure, using alternatives like stainless steel utensils and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of cancer.
