Emissions from Cooking Microwave Popcorn

Noninvasive Detection of Stress by Biochemical Profiles from the Skin

Stress is a leading cause of several disease types, yet it is underdiagnosed as current diagnostic methods are mainly based on self-reporting and interviews that are highly subjective, inaccurate, and unsuitable for monitoring. Although some physiological measurements exist (e.g., heart rate variability and cortisol), there are no reliable biological tests that quantify the amount of stress and monitor it in real time. In this article, we report a novel way to measure stress quickly, noninvasively, and accurately. The overall detection approach is based on measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the skin in response to stress. Sprague Dawley male rats (n = 16) were exposed to underwater trauma. Sixteen naive rats served as a control group (n = 16). VOCs were measured before, during, and after induction of the traumatic event, by gas chromatography linked with mass spectrometry determination and quantification, and an artificially intelligent nanoarray for easy, inexpensive, and portable sensing of the VOCs. An elevated plus maze during and after the induction of stress was used to evaluate the stress response of the rats, and machine learning was used for the development and validation of a computational stress model at each time point. A logistic model classifier with stepwise selection yielded a 66-88% accuracy in detecting stress with a single VOC (2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propanoic acid), and an SVM (support vector machine) model showed a 66-72% accuracy in detecting stress with the artificially intelligent nanoarray. The current study highlights the potential of VOCs as a noninvasive, automatic, and real-time stress predictor for mental health.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and their alternatives in paper food packaging

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used in food contact paper and paperboard for decades due to their unique ability to provide both moisture and oil/grease resistance. Once thought to be innocuous, it is now clear that long chain PFAS bioaccumulate and are linked to reproductive and developmental abnormalities, suppressed immune response, and tumor formation. Second-generation PFAS have shorter biological half-lives but concerns about health risks from chronic exposure underscore the need for safe substitutes. Waxes and polymer film laminates of polyethylene, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol), and polyethylene terephthalate are commonly used alternatives. However, such laminates are neither compostable nor recyclable. Lamination with biodegradable polymers, including polyesters, such as polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate, polybutylene succinate, and polyhydroxyalkanoates, are of growing research and commercial interest. PLA films are perhaps the most viable alternative, but performance and compostability are suboptimal. Surface sizings and coatings of starches, chitosan, alginates, micro- and nanofibrilated cellulose, and gelatins provide adequate oil barrier properties but have poor moisture resistance without chemical modification. Plant proteins, including soy, wheat gluten, and corn zein, have been tested as paper coatings with soy being the most commercially important. Internal sizing agents, such as alkyl ketene dimers, alkenyl succinic anhydride, and rosin, improve moisture resistance but are poor oil/grease barriers. The difficulty in finding a viable replacement for PFAS chemicals that is cost-effective, fully biodegradable, and environmentally sound underscores the need for more research to improve barrier properties and process economics in food packaging products.

Fine and ultrafine particle emissions from microwave popcorn

This study characterized fine (PM2.5 ) and ultrafine particle (UFP, diameter < 100 nm) emissions from microwave popcorn and analyzed influential factors. Each pre-packed popcorn bag was cooked in a microwave oven enclosed in a stainless steel chamber for 3 min. The number concentration and size distribution of UFPs and PM2.5 mass concentration were measured inside the chamber repeatedly for five different flavors under four increasing power settings using either the foil-lined original package or a brown paper bag. UFPs and PM2.5 generated by microwaving popcorn were 150-560 and 350-800 times higher than the emissions from microwaving water, respectively. About 90% of the total particles emitted were in the ultrafine size range. The emitted PM concentrations varied significantly with flavor. Replacing the foil-lined original package with a brown paper bag significantly reduced the peak concentration by 24-87% for total particle number and 36-70% for PM2.5 . A positive relationship was observed between both UFP number and PM2.5 mass and power setting. The emission rates of microwave popcorn ranged from 1.9 × 10(10) to 8.0 × 10(10) No./min for total particle number and from 134 to 249 μg/min for PM2.5 .

The modern paradox of unregulated cooking activities and indoor air quality

Pollutant emission from domestic and commercial cooking activities is a previously neglected area of concern with respect to human health worldwide. Its health effects are relevant to people across the globe, not only those using low quality food materials in lesser-developed countries but also to more affluent people enjoying higher quality food in developed countries. Based on the available database of pollutant emissions derived from fire-based cooking, its environmental significance is explored in a number of ways, especially with respect to the exposure to hazardous vapors and particulate pollutants. Discussion is extended to describe the risk in relation to cooking methods, cooking materials, fuels, etc. The observed pollutant levels are also evaluated against the current regulations and guidelines established in national and international legislation. The limitations and future prospects for the control of cooking hazards are discussed.