A recent study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) has provided strong evidence linking the ingestion of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to thyroid cancer.
According to the study, incidence of thyroid cancer has substantially increased worldwide over recent decades (and in the U.S., has increased on average by 3.6 percent per year), and one potential reason for this trend is exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, such as PFAS. Also known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS do not break down and therefore accumulate in the body and the environment over time. The chemicals are present in food packaging and other food contact materials, like nonstick pans.