Scientists detect microplastics in human veins, colon tissue, and urine

Small pilot study analyzes saphenous vein tissues from five individuals and detects 15 plastic particles/g tissue indicating transport of plastic particles within human tissue; review concludes more research needed to elucidate the potential carcinogenicity of micro- and nanoplastics; researchers find potential connection between colorectal cancer and microplastic exposure level; preliminary study report microplastic presence in four out of six urine samples 15 plastic particles/g of tissue

Microplastics measured in human blood and mouse brains

First human biomonitoring study encounters plastic particles of four different polymer types in human blood; in vivo study reports polystyrene nanoparticles pass blood-brain barrier and induce neurotoxicity in mice; review summarizes plastic particle and titanium dioxide impacts on human gut epithelial integrity, gut homeostasis, and intestinal inflammation

Researchers associate diet and microplastics with EDC exposure

Epidemiological studies investigate association between diet and endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure; find recommended healthy diets not protective against EDC exposure; report association of plastic-free diet with reduced urinary bisphenol A (BPA) in children; researchers performing bioaccessibility tests using gut fluids find release of phthalates and BPA from microplastics may pose human health risk

Study finds sex-specific impacts of prenatal phthalate exposure

Taiwanese cohort study examines prenatal phthalate exposure effects on infant birth weight and gestational age; reports higher impact on male neonates

Phthalates: ‘Safe’ levels may not be protective of human health

New peer-reviewed scientific study by the Food Packaging Forum and academic scientists shows regulatory ‘safe’ limits for human exposure to phthalates may be set at levels not sufficiently protective of human health; analysis reviews 38 human health studies; highlights need for revising current approach and to re-assess the safety of chemicals already on the market

Studies investigate impacts of EDC exposure during pregnancy

Five studies examine effects following exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during pregnancy; report association between bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and preterm birth and decreased gestational age, especially upon exposure in third trimester of pregnancy; find contradicting results on fetal growth impacts from BPA; intake of synthetic progesterone by pregnant women found to double cancer risk of their offspring; propylparaben exposure found to alter mammary gland structure in mice

Recent studies on EDCs and cardiovascular health

Emerging evidence and systematic analyses highlight adverse effects of bisphenols and phthalates on cardiovascular health; meta-analysis of US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2003-2016 finds significant association of cardiovascular disease with bisphenol A; prenatal exposure particularly detrimental; calls for more mechanistic research, evaluation of cardiovascular safety profiles for substitution chemicals

EFSA guidance on epidemiological evidence use

Draft Scientific Opinion published by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on how to appraise and use human health studies for EFSA’s scientific assessments; initially intended for internal use for testing, public consultation planned for later date

Health effects of PFAS exposure

Epidemiologists examine possible associations between PFAS exposure and metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, fetal and child development

FPF Webinar on food additives and child health

Register now for the Food Packaging Forum’s webinar on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ report and policy statement on child health effects of direct and indirect food additives, to be held on November 12, 2018