Notre Dame researchers have found the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in fluorinated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic containers, which may be used for food packaging as well as the packaging of pesticides and other consumer goods, and demonstrated the risk of human exposure to PFAS from foods that come into contact with HDPE packaging. PFAS, a class of fluorine compounds often referred to as “forever chemicals” for their indefinite persistence and accumulation in the environment and human body, have been associated with a number of negative health consequences.

The Notre Dame team conducted the present study following a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report demonstrating that HDPE containers contribute to high levels of PFAS in pesticides. The present research is the first measurement of the ability of PFAS to leach from HDPE containers into food, as well as the effect of temperature on the leaching process.