Mineral filters cut carcinogens in smoked foods

2018-07-06T16:49:00

A range of foods hanging in a smokehouse

Source: kaczor58 / Shutterstock.com

Cutting edge science research with a consumer application

Food is smoked in order to preserve it or give it a distinctive taste. However, this process produces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been linked with cancer in animal studies. Zeolites, which have been used to filter pollutants from car exhaust fumes for years, can also be used to extract PAHs from smoke. In addition, this produces a better ‘smoked’ flavour, according to some taste experts.

Thanks for using Education in Chemistry. You can view one Education in Chemistry article per month as a visitor. 

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more:

  • unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
  • teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
  • applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not eligible for Teach Chemistry? Sign up for a personal account instead, or you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.