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
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