Fruit juice cancer warning as scientists find harmful chemical in 16 drinks
By Sophie Borland
Last updated at 4:23 PM on 01st March 2010
Scientists have found many fruit juices and squashes contain too much antimony, a potentially lethal substance. (Posed by model)科學家們已發現，許多果汁和果汁飲料含有太多銻，一種潛在的致命物質。 （模擬照片）
Fruit juices drunk by millions of children each day could contain a harmful chemical linked to cancer, scientists have warned.
每天以百萬計的兒童所喝的果汁，可能含有一種有害的化學與癌症有關，科學家們已警告。
Researchers have found high levels of antimony - which can be lethal in large doses - in many popular brands.
研究人員已發現高水平的銻 - 大劑量可以致命- 在許多流行的品牌。
Scientists from the University of Copenhagen found that bottles of fruit juice and squash contained up to 2.5 times more of the substance as is deemed 'safe' in tap water, under EU guidelines.
來自哥本哈根大學的科學家發現，瓶裝果汁和果汁飲料含多達 2.5倍，在自來水中被認為是'安全'數量的物質，根據歐盟的指引。
In some cases the levels of antimony were ten times higher.
在一些情況下，銻程度高出10倍。
The scientists believe that the chemical is leaching its way into the fruit juice from the plastic bottles which hold it.
科學家相信，化學物從盛載的膠樽溶濾入果汁。
Previous research found traces of the chemical in bottled mineral water which experts believed was leaching in from the plastic container.
以往的研究發現，化學物的踪跡在瓶裝礦泉水，專家們認為是從塑料容器溶濾。
The team has expressed 'concern' over their findings, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry, which they say raises fears for the health of millions of children.
小組對他們的研究結果已表達關注，由英國皇家化學會發表，他們說提升了對數百萬兒童健康的擔心。
They have called for an investigation 'straight away'. The substance can cause cancer, heart and lung problems, according to previous studies.
他們已呼籲'直接'作出調查，該物質能導致癌症、心髒病和肺部問題，根據以往的研究。
Although the scientists have not specifically named any brands, the chemicals are believed to have been found in 16 of the most popular blackcurrant and strawberry squash and fruit drinks consumed by children.
雖然科學家並沒有明確地講出牌子名字，但化學物相信已在16種最流行的兒童消費黑加侖子、士多啤利果汁飲料和果汁飲品中被發現。
Claus Hansen, a PhD student at the department of pharmacology, who took part in the research, speculated that the citric acid in the fruit juices could speed up the leaching process.
He said: 'The antimony concentrations in the products tested exceed the limit of drinking water but no legalisation exists for foodstuffs so no legislation has been broken.
'However we cannot be sure that the antimony levels are harmless.
'It would be a good idea to have some more research to get a better impression of what the antimony limit should be in fruit drinks.
'You would have to drink a lot of blackcurrant juice to go beyond the recommended maximum dose which is why there's no antimony limits for drinking water or soft drinks.
'But we can't be sure the high level we found is not harmful.'
The Royal Society of Chemistry added: 'Marketing, certainly for the cordial products, is geared towards children. It's a children's drink.
'This means they are more likely to drink it and more likely to be at risk.'
The scientists looked at 42 different red fruit juice drinks from Denmark, Scotland and Greece including blackcurrant, strawberry, raspberry and sour cherry and found concentrations 17 times higher than previously studied.
Fruit juices and juice drinks are safe, said a spokesman. 'It is not uncommon that different product types should have different regulatory requirements'果汁和果汁飲品都是安全的，發言人說。 '它不是不尋常，不同的產品類型應該有不同的監管要求'
The report, published in the Journal of Environmental Monitoring, said that more research was needed to find out whether it was present during the manufacturing process.
Previous research in Germany in 2006 found antimony was leaching into bottled mineral waters from their plastic containers.
In 2005 Volvic mineral water was at the centre of a health scare after a potentially harmful chemical was found in some of its bottles.
Danone Waters, which produces Volvic, launched an investigation after a mother of two reported a strong 'burning' chemical taste to the Food Standards Agency.
It found the water, which is advertised as being filtered through volcanic rocks, contained naphthalene – a chemical which can cause liver damage in high doses.
Responding to the research, the British Soft Drinks Association today defended the industry.
'Fruit juices and juice drinks are safe,' said a spokesman. 'There is no read across between the levels of antimony permitted in drinking water and those that might be acceptable in a fruit juice or a juice drink.
'It is not uncommon that different product types should have different regulatory requirements.'
He added: 'The packaging is safe. The data in the study does not confirm any conclusions about the packaging: the authors themselves conclude that "further studies are warranted".'
'All ingredients and packaging are carefully regulated to make sure that soft drinks are safe to drink.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1254534/Fruit-juice-cancer-warning-scientists-harmful-chemical-16-drinks.html
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