Health & Environment article points to paraben exposures, including from food packaging
Parabens increase BPA exposure
Parabens inhibit several biotransformation enzymes involved in steroid hormone metabolism and chemical detoxification; study in mice shows that co-exposure with butyl paraben results in elevated internal levels of estradiol and BPA
EFSA opinions on 10 recycling processes
European Food Safety Authority’s CEP Panel publishes scientific opinions on 10 recycling processes for post-consumer PET; all found to be safe for use in specified food contact applications
EU Commission presents EDC strategy
European Commission publishes communication outlining the EU’s strategic approach to managing endocrine disruptors; NGOs criticize lack of specific actions and missing timeline to reduce EDC exposure
EFSA opinion on PFOA and PFOS in food
EFSA scientific opinion suggests revision of tolerable intake values for two perfluoroalkyl substances
German authorities seek comments for bisphenol restriction proposal
Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the competent authority for REACH in Germany, and the German Environment Agency launch second stakeholder consultation in preparation for a REACH Restriction Dossier for bisphenol A (BPA) and other similar bisphenols; seeking updated use information including tonnages, emissions, alternatives and transition costs, and limit values; authorities already have enough data to demonstrate hazards
Public consultation on BPA re-evaluation
EFSA announces public consultation on BPA re-evaluation protocol, defining scope, methodology, information needs for safety assessment planned in 2018; deadline for comments is September 3, 2017
Plastic food contact materials under fire in Massachusetts communities
Various towns in Massachusetts, US discuss banning single use plastic bags, repeal of PET bottle ban fails
Many REACH registrations non-compliant
Study by German authorities finds 32% of high production volume chemicals non-compliant with REACH safety data requirements; 31% compliant, rest uncertain; European Environmental Bureau suggests actions for improvement
EU’s Chemicals Strategy plans actions on FCMs
European Commission (EC) publishes Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability; plans to ban PFAS for all non-essential uses, move towards grouping approach for regulation of all chemicals; specific actions for food contact materials (FCM) include extending generic approach to risk management, identifying endocrine disruptors, considering cumulative effects of chemical mixtures