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The Secret Ingredient in Your Microwave Popcorn: PFAS Chemicals

D-brief
By Megan Schmidt
Oct 9, 2019 5:00 PMNov 19, 2019 3:33 AM
Microwave-Popcorn
Tasty and toxic? A new study finds elevated levels of PFAS chemicals in the bloodstreams of people who eat a lot of microwave popcorn and fast food. (Credit: Maxim Larin/Shutterstock)

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BPA isn’t the only chemical in our food supply that you should be aware of.

A group of human-made chemicals called PFAS have been in use since the mid-20th century and they’re in our water, our air, our soil — and, potentially, your afternoon snack. A new study finds these chemicals may pose much greater health risks than previously thought.

PFAS exposure has been linked to a broad range of health problems, including cancer, hormone disruption, weight gain and childhood development issues.

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