cmotherofpirl Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 Experts Find Cancer-Causing Chemical In Soft Drinks Benzene Found In Gasoline, Cigarette Smoke And Burning Coal Emissions POSTED: 4:26 pm EDT October 23, 2006 UPDATED: 7:48 pm EDT October 23, 2006 PITTSBURGH -- You've probably heard about studies that show soda may cause obesity, tooth decay and even osteoporosis. Now there is even more alarming information from the FDA. Experts are finding a cancer-causing chemical in some soft drinks. The FDA said its own testing found the cancer-causing chemical benzene in some sodas, juices and other drinks. "The levels of benzene they found there are so high it would be considered illegal if it was in water," said Dr. Devra Davis, director of the UPMC's Environmental Oncology Center. Davis is well aware of the health risks posed by benzene exposure. "Benzene increases leukemia. It's suspected of causing breast cancer," said Davis. Benzene is also found in gasoline, cigarette smoke and burning coal emissions. The problem stems from two ingredients found in many soft drinks. When combined they can form benzene, which can be detected in a high-tech lab like Duquesne University. Dr. Skip Kingston, a chemistry professor at Duquesne, said those ingredients are benzoate salts and Vitamin C. Both are used as preservatives. "From a nonhazardous material it becomes a hazardous material. But, to get that hazardous reaction, copper and iron, minerals commonly found in water, must also be present," said Kingston. "When Vitamin C is present with those minerals, that's what's triggering this. Heat or light can also increase the amount of benzene formed. Whenever you increase the temperature it speeds up the reaction," said Kingston. FDA tests found high benzene levels in several drinks. One of the highest levels was in a sample of Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange. It had 15 times the federal benzene limit for water. The federal government only regulates benzene levels in water. Right now there is no way to know if benzene is in your soft drink. But you can cut your risk of drinking it by reading labels. If you see sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate and Vitamin C or ascorbic acid on the label, benzene might be present. "Benzene in soda is not going to kill you, not the first time, not the second time, probably not the 10th time, but the fact is we know that cancer comes from a lifetime of exposure; that's when the risk will become evident," said Davis. The FDA said it's still investigating the situation. The Soda Association said it is also addressing the problem and some companies have already stopped using both ingredients. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- More Info: www.cfsan.fda.gov www.ameribev.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ardillacid Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Oh no looks like the government is going to have to help us out and ban pop (or "soda"), since it clearly has no health benefits and people are going to die from drinking it and its like eating lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dudette Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 (edited) More against pop. I'm not surprised, pop is just garbage anyway. Edited December 14, 2006 by Dudette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrincessKRS Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Delicious garbage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dudette Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 [quote name='IcePrincessKRS' post='1141881' date='Dec 13 2006, 11:19 PM'] Delicious garbage. [/quote] Not for me, I find it too sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ardillacid Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Just try to take my mountain dew away. I will start a revolution. There are some things worse than dying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleflower+JMJ Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 [quote name='notardillacid' post='1141894' date='Dec 13 2006, 11:32 PM'] Just try to take my mountain dew away. I will start a revolution. There are some things worse than dying. [/quote] LOL You know I was just thinking about that when I read this thread. How in the world would I make it through finals without my coke???!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 great.. I just drank a coke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 [quote name='Tony' post='1141903' date='Dec 13 2006, 10:38 PM'] great.. I just drank a coke. [/quote] it's been nice knowing you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groo the Wanderer Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 (edited) When will the insanity end? It seems like EVERYTHING we eat or drink these days has either cancer or the HIV in it. Bah. I'm gonna eat whatever I want to and [b]poofta[/b] to the 'scientists' discovering all this. In moderation, of course.... Edited December 14, 2006 by Groo the Wanderer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrincessKRS Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 [quote name='Dudette' post='1141891' date='Dec 14 2006, 12:30 AM'] Not for me, I find it too sweet. [/quote] Yeah, I only drink certain sodas (and not every day) because some of them really are way too sweet. But sometimes I just get carbonation cravings---not necessarily the flavor of a certain soda but I need something carbonated. Seltzer water doesn't do the trick, I've tried it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groo the Wanderer Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 You too? I thought I was just weird. I don;t care for cokes (proper terminology - see other thread : ) either, but sometimes I just slam one for the fizzyness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrincessKRS Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Yeah. The other day I wanted something carbonated so I got some juice and seltzer... I let my kids drink it. I should have grabbed the Dr. Pepper or Coke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paladin D Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Bummer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkwright Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 hmm wow... nothin like reading a thread telling you the pop in my hand is going to kill me but dang.... Mt Dew is sooo good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now