People who don’t like kale will love it!
A new study of kale samples taken from several U.S. grocery stores found that 7 out of 8 samples contained ‘controversial’ levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). bottom.
Ironically, kale was chosen because the scientists wanted to see which vegetables had a reputation for being healthy.
Perhaps even more ironically, kale labeled “USDA organic” contained higher levels of PFAS than conventional kale.
It was “a bit of a shocking discovery,” says Robert Verkerk, founder of the Natural Health Alliance. told the Guardian.
The Alliance for Natural Health produced a research report, published on website.
PFAS are sometimes called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily and are present in soil, water and air all over the world.
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals widely used since the 1950s in packaging, clothing, carpets, fire extinguishers and even toilet paper.
Research has linked chemicals to cancer and other health problems, such as problems with the immune system, liver, and fertility.
And scientists are still researching PFAS, including how best to detect and measure them, remove them from air and water, and discover long-term effects.
For this study, kale samples were sent to an EPA-accredited laboratory and tested using the same methods used by the Food and Drug Administration.
FDA conducted an analysis of kale from 2019 to 2021 and found no evidence of PFAS contamination.
A new study found PFAS levels as high as 1 in 250 trillion. There are no established limits for PFAS in food in the United States.
However, the EPA has determined that no amount of exposure to PFAS compounds in drinking water is considered safe.
It is unclear how the kale became contaminated with PFAS, but it could have been grown in irrigation water contaminated with PFAS or in fields sprayed with contaminated sludge.
“This is pretty scary and there’s no easy fix,” Verkerk said. He also called on the FDA to implement better PFAS testing programs across the US food supply.
