Teveel kankerverwekkend benzeen in frisdranken?*

Naar aanleiding van rapporten in de VS gaat nu de voedsel en waren autoriteit in Engeland frisdranken onderzoeken op de hoeveelheid benzeen in deze dranken. Benzeen is een stof die de kans op kanker bij mensen sterk doet verhogen. Aan frisdranken wordt als conserveringsmiddel natriumbenzoaat toegevoegd. Samen met vitamine C ontstaat daardoor benzeen. Volgens de industrie zouden de waarden laag genoeg zijn doch de meeste frisdranken lijken nu al acht keer meer benzeen te bevatten dan toegestaan is in leidingwater.

UK To Check For Benzene In Soft Drinks - Benzene Linked To Cancer

The UK Food Standards Agency is to carry out its own tests on benzene in soft drinks. This is after reports have appeared in the USA which indicate the presence of benzene in many soft drinks (sodas). The consumption of benzene is linked to a higher risk of developing cancer in humans.
According to data supplied by the soft drinks industry in the UK to the Food Standards Agency, the levels of benzene in soft drinks is not enough to be of concern to the public.
Why is Benzene a concern?
Benzene is a chemical that can cause cancer in humans. The preservative sodium benzoate, when it interacts with ascorbic acid (vitamin c), produces benzene. The drinks industry adds sodium benzoate to soft drinks to prevent the growth of moulds.
We breathe in an average of 220 micrograms of benzene each day. The highest levels found in soft drinks, according to the soft drinks industry, is 8 micrograms (most levels reported by the industry were much lower than this).
The Food Standards Agency says that if it does find high levels of benzene in soft drinks it will take action to protect the consumer. Results from the tests will be available in about four weeks' time.
Although UK drinking water (tapwater) has a limit of one part per billion of benzene, there is not limit on the amount permitted in soft drinks. Some soft drinks have eight times the amount permitted in drinking water.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist Editor: Medical News Today  (Maart 2006)