The human body now contains more than 3,600 synthetic chemicals from food packaging alone, with 80 of these having hazard properties of "high concern". An eight-month investigation by London-based Deep Science Ventures has revealed that chemical exposure now poses what researchers call a "threat to humans".
The industrial economy has created over 100 million chemicals not found in nature, with production increasing fifty-fold since the 1950s. Between 40,000 and 350,000 of these synthetic substances are currently in commercial use, fundamentally altering the chemical composition of human bodies.
Cancer rates surge dramatically
Early onset cancer in people under the age of 50 has increased by 79 per cent from 1990 to 2019, as the Daily Mail reports. The research establishes links between toxic chemicals and a range of health conditions including cancer, obesity, Alzheimer's disease, pregnancy complications, ADHD, fertility problems, heart conditions and respiratory ailments.
PFAS "forever chemicals" are now found in almost all humans tested, with 14 per cent of European teenagers having blood levels high enough to risk adverse health effects. Men with elevated levels of certain PFAS compounds have been found to have less than half the normal sperm count of those with low levels, according to the Daily Mail.
Agricultural contamination spreads toxins
The food and agricultural industries emerge as the worst offenders for chemical contamination, spreading toxins through pesticides, fertilizers and sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants. These chemicals can seep into water supplies from washing dishes and enter food through grease-resistant packaging or deteriorating non-stick cookware coatings.
PFAS chemicals take thousands of years to break down, earning them the nickname "forever chemicals" because they accumulate rather than diminish over time. Their main purpose is to repel water and oil, which makes non-stick cookware easier to clean and helps certain jackets withstand rain.
Regulatory gaps allow widespread contamination
Despite mounting evidence, significant gaps remain in how industry and regulatory bodies address chemical toxicity. In the United States, more than 200 new food additives have entered the food system without pre-market approval through the "generally recognised as safe" loophole, allowing companies rather than the FDA to determine safety.
Almost 80 per cent of chemical additives directly added to food lack the information needed to estimate safe consumption levels, while 93 per cent lack reproductive or developmental toxicity data. Even in the European Union, with its precautionary approach, the majority of commonly used chemicals lack adequate public data for long-term health and environmental impacts.
Healthcare costs mount as contamination spreads
These toxins are estimated to cost the US healthcare system approximately $290 million per year through links to birth defects, cancer, dementia, asthma, infertility and children's behavioural difficulties. Microplastics smaller than one micrometer can infiltrate cells and cause DNA damage, potentially triggering cancer development.
Researchers warn that failure to act decisively will likely lead to irreversible consequences for both human health and planetary ecosystems. They emphasise the particular impact on fertility as many countries struggle with declining birth rates, calling for accelerated development of innovative technological solutions to address what they describe as an existential threat to humanity.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Daily Mail" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
