Did you know that your non-stick pan can cause cancer? If not, click here for details

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• Aug 14, 2022 | Poonam Nath

Researchers from USC discovered that "forever chemicals' can quadruple the risk of non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer.

Digital Desk: Liver cancer is one of the leading killers on a global scale. Over 700,000 people die from it each year, according to the American Cancer Society.

Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles recently discovered that "forever chemicals" can increase the risk of non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma, a common liver cancer.

What do you know about Forever chemicals?

These man-made chemicals that do not degrade are frequently referred to as "Forever chemicals" or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

These compounds are used to make any product resistant to fire, water, and oil, according to Dr. Pankaj Puri, Director, Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences, Fortis Escorts, Okhla, New Delhi. He added, "They are also favored since they do not break down."

He clarified that these substances are frequently used in non-stick cookware, cosmetics, shampoos, and food packaging. He added that they might not always be found on hard surfaces.

"Forever chemical" effects

According to the research report, "An elevated risk of non-viral HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma cancer) was associated with exposure to high PFOS levels, and the likely causes were via abnormalities in glucose, amino acid, and bile acid metabolism."

It was also mentioned that these substances four and a half times enhance the risk of liver cancer.

There is no ignoring the fact that they are damaging to our health, Dr. Puri said. He clarified that cirrhosis, hepatitis B, and fatty liver are the main risk factors for cancer.

These substances may be to blame for all liver cancer cases that do not occur for the aforementioned reasons.

He stated that because they work gradually, "these substances might alter hormones, affect immunity, and result in liver and kidney cancer." These substances may be to blame for all liver cancer cases that do not occur for the aforementioned reasons.

He stated that because they work gradually, "these substances might alter hormones, affect immunity, and result in liver and kidney cancer."

He continued by saying that these chemicals might also be in your drinking water since, like other substances, they can infiltrate it.

Solution to reduce the risk of liver cancer

Dr. Puri advises that while exposure to these chemicals cannot be stopped, they can be avoided by not using cosmetics and other products that contain them. "Buying fabrics and nonstick cookware with the phrase "forever-chemicals" free label or after looking at their ingredients might help," he suggested.

He continued by saying that since most of the food is delivered in non-stick plastic, one must also exercise caution when placing an order.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set upper limits for these contaminants in drinking water, according to a CNN article. 

The statement added, "The interim recommendations published on Wednesday recommend no more than 0.0004 ppt of PFOA and 0.02 ppt of PFOS, so low that the chemicals cannot be reliably identified."