Furan

Forms during high-heat processing of foods (coffee; canned/jarred foods) and from combustion (e.g., tobacco smoke, some engine/industrial emissions); also produced in small amounts for chemical manufacturing [1][2].

Mainly by eating heat-processed foods and drinking coffee; also by inhaling tobacco smoke and, less often, workplace air or polluted outdoor air near sources [1][2].

The liver is the primary target; furan causes liver toxicity and tumors in animals. It’s classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (IARC Group 2B) and reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen (NTP); EPA identifies a cancer hazard based on animal evidence [1][3][4][5].

Infants/toddlers eating jarred baby foods; frequent coffee drinkers; smokers and people exposed to secondhand smoke; workers where furan is produced/used; people near industrial sources or heavy traffic [1][2].

Let jarred/canned foods and coffee stand open briefly and stir to let vapors escape; vary your diet; avoid tobacco smoke; use kitchen ventilation; follow workplace controls and protective equipment [1][2].