POPs regulation endorsed by European Council

European Council endorses recast of Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation, adopts 500 ppm limit for brominated flame retardants and 10,000 ppm limit for short-chain chlorinated paraffins

No higher limit for PBDEs in recycled plastics

EU Parliament adopts POPs Regulation Recast but rejects amendment to increase maximum concentration limit for persistent organic pollutants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers in recycled plastics

Toxic chemicals in recycled plastics products

New study by environmental health organizations finds brominated flame retardants in children’s food contact articles and other products made of recycled plastics; call against recycling of hazardous waste

Symposium on circular economy

University of Exeter and Ellen MacArthur Foundation host 2-day symposium on circular economy research and practice, discuss future challenges and innovation

Recommendations for non-toxic environment

Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) calls on EU Commission to release strategy for non-toxic environment, recommends 12 priority actions

Hazardous chemicals in black plastic food containers

New study detects bromine and heavy metals in black plastic food contact items; recycling of black plastic electronic waste into sensitive consumer goods discussed as source of hazardous chemicals

Flame retardants in plastic waste

Study commissioned by Norwegian Environment Agency analyzes brominated flame retardants in post-consumer plastics intended for recycling, finds low levels of commercial decaBDE, HBCD, BDE-209, TBBPA, DBDPE

EDCs in everyday products

Article by New York Times illustrates how difficult it is for consumers to avoid exposure to endocrine disruptors

Obesity increased tenfold in children and teens

New WHO study finds worldwide rise in childhood and teen obesity between 1975 and 2016; NGO discusses metabolic disruptors as contributing factor to obesity epidemic

Plastics additives in marine environment

Scientists review occurrence and effects of plastics additives in marine environment; focus on brominated flame retardants, nonylphenols, bisphenol A, antioxidants