They're in what we eat, what we drink, and even in us—yet we rarely see them.
Imagine sitting down to a meal where the most concerning ingredients aren't listed on any label. They've migrated from the packaging, lingered from pesticide sprays, or traveled through our environment into our food. Scientific evidence now confirms that 25% of known food contact chemicals—over 3,600 substances—have been detected in human samples5 . This is the invisible reality of chemical exposure we face daily.
of known food contact chemicals detected in humans
food contact chemicals found in human samples
chemicals with high-concern hazard properties
Chemicals don't need passports to travel into our bodies. They migrate from food packaging materials into what we eat, leach from consumer products into our environment, and persist in ecosystems where they enter our food chain. Understanding these pathways is crucial to addressing the problem.
When you unwrap a chocolate bar or heat food in a plastic container, you might be getting more than you bargained for. Migration occurs when chemical compounds from packaging materials transfer into food under certain conditions2 .
Scientists now have startling evidence of how many packaging chemicals our bodies absorb. A systematic review of biomonitoring studies discovered that hundreds of food contact chemicals (FCCs) have been detected in human blood, urine, and breast milk samples5 . Among these, 80 chemicals possess hazard properties of high concern, including potential carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and substances that may affect reproduction or development5 .
80 food contact chemicals with high-concern hazard properties have been detected in human samples, posing potential health risks including carcinogenicity and endocrine disruption.
| Category | Number of Chemicals | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Total FCCs with evidence of presence in humans | 3,601 | 25% of known food contact chemicals |
| FCCs detected through biomonitoring programs | 194 | Direct evidence of exposure |
| FCCs with high-concern hazard properties | 80 | Known or suspected health risks |
| Prioritized FCCs lacking hazard data | 59 | Significant knowledge gap |
How do scientists determine which chemicals have found their way into us? The answer lies in sophisticated biomonitoring studies that systematically track human exposure to synthetic chemicals.
In one of the most comprehensive assessments to date, researchers conducted a systematic overview of food contact chemicals that have been monitored and detected in human biomonitoring studies5 . The investigation followed a rigorous, pre-established protocol to ensure scientific validity.
The research team compared over 14,000 known food contact chemicals against five major biomonitoring programs and three metabolome/exposome databases5 . This approach allowed them to identify which chemicals used in food packaging and processing have actually ended up in human samples.
| Program Name | Region |
|---|---|
| NHANES | United States |
| CHMS | Canada |
| HBM4EU | European Union |
| KoNEHS | Korea |
| Biomonitoring California | California, USA |
The research followed a two-step approach to compile evidence of human exposure5 :
Scientists first matched known food contact chemicals against established biomonitoring programs and metabolome/exposome databases. This provided initial evidence of which chemicals had been detected in humans.
For chemicals not found in the databases, researchers turned to scientific literature, systematically searching through multiple bibliographic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect.
The outcome of this extensive investigation was the creation of the Database on Food Contact Chemicals Monitored in Humans (FCChumon), a publicly available tool that helps policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders make informed decisions about food contact materials5 .
Understanding our chemical environment requires sophisticated sampling and analysis techniques. Scientists employ multiple methods to track contaminants in both our environment and our bodies.
Collecting single samples at specific times and locations provides a snapshot of contaminant levels at that moment. This method is particularly useful for detecting acute contamination events4 .
Using devices that accumulate contaminants over time without active pumping offers a significant advantage: it provides long-term exposure assessment rather than just momentary snapshots4 .
Employing living organisms to assess contaminant presence takes advantage of nature's own accumulation systems. Mussels monitor water quality, while lichens assess air pollution, providing insight into bioavailability and potential ecological impacts4 .
Utilizing satellite or aerial imagery allows scientists to detect and map contaminant distribution over large areas, particularly useful for visible pollution like oil spills4 .
Once samples are collected, advanced analytical techniques come into play:
Techniques like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) separate and identify organic compounds with high precision1 .
This method provides sensitive detection of metals at extremely low concentrations4 .
Measuring biological responses to contaminant exposure at molecular, cellular, or physiological levels provides early warning signs of potential health effects4 .
| Tool/Reagent | Primary Function |
|---|---|
| Semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) | Passive accumulation of organic contaminants |
| Diffusive gradients in thin films (DGTs) | Passive sampling of metals |
| Certified reference materials | Quality control and calibration |
| Enzymatic biomarkers | Indicators of biological response |
| Immunoassay kits | Rapid screening of specific contaminants |
One of the greatest challenges in toxicology is understanding how chemicals interact in the body. We're rarely exposed to single substances in isolation, but rather to complex mixtures that may have combined effects different from individual chemicals6 .
Humans are exposed to complex mixtures of chemicals daily, which may interact in ways that amplify or create new health risks not seen with individual substances.
New methodologies are emerging to better assess these complex interactions:
Frameworks that connect molecular-level interactions to organism-level effects8 .
Computer simulations that predict how chemicals are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body8 .
Using cell cultures and tissue models to study toxic interactions without animal testing6 .
While the evidence of widespread exposure can be alarming, understanding the problem is the first step toward solutions. Both individual choices and systemic changes can reduce chemical exposure.
Although completely avoiding chemical exposure is impossible, we can take practical steps to reduce it:
Glass and certain biodegradable packaging materials generally show lower chemical migration than conventional plastics2 .
Avoid heating food in packaging not designed for high temperatures, as heat significantly increases migration2 .
Regulations like the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive limit certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment3 , demonstrating how policy can drive safer products.
Governments worldwide have implemented various regulations to control hazardous substances in consumer products:
| Regulation | Region |
|---|---|
| EU RoHS Directive | European Union |
| UAE RoHS Regulation | United Arab Emirates |
| SASO RoHS | Saudi Arabia |
| California RoHS | California, USA |
The evidence is clear: chemicals from food packaging, consumer products, and our environment do make their way into our bodies. While the health implications of this widespread exposure are not fully understood for all detected chemicals, the presence of substances with known hazardous properties is concerning.
Ongoing scientific advances—from sophisticated biomonitoring to new approach methodologies for risk assessment—are providing the tools we need to better understand and address this complex challenge. The systematic evaluation of food contact chemicals detected in humans represents a significant step forward, creating opportunities for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to collaborate on making food contact materials safer5 .
As consumers, we can make informed choices, but systemic change requires comprehensive chemical management policies that prioritize public health. The journey to reduce our exposure to toxic chemicals continues, but science is lighting the path forward.