New study finds microplastic particles in popular bottled water brands, detects on average 10 larger-sized microplastic particles and over 300 smaller-sized, likely also plastic particles per liter; WHO to launch review of health risks
Investors urge major companies to reduce single-use plastic packaging
Investors with over $10 trillion in assets call for urgent action to reduce single-use plastic packaging in the fast-moving consumer goods and grocery retail sectors; cite environmental, climate, and public health threats posed by the entire plastics lifecycle; express concern over the financial risks to companies and investors
Food packaging made from milk protein
Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture develop biodegradable and edible packaging film made from the milk protein casein; applications include single-serve wrappers and pouches
U.S. Senate approves TSCA reform bill
Udall-Vitter chemical safety bill approved by U.S. Senate; House and Senate must now unify TSCA reform bills to create new U.S. chemical safety law
Ubiquitous exposure to phenolic food contact substances
New study investigates phenolic compounds in pregnant women, finds phenols in more than 90% of specimens, specific phenol exposure may depend on ethnic group
Environmental exposures and diabetes
Scientists find parabens, bisphenols, benzophenone exposure associated with increased diabetes risk; review discusses potential mechanisms involved
Consumers concerned about microplastics
More than half of German population concerned about microplastics in food, according to survey by German risk assessment institute; 45% worried about aluminum in food packaging
Sweet potato and thyme used for bio-packaging film
U.S. scientists develop nanocomposite film from sweet potato starch, thyme essential oil, and nanoclay; potential applications include packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables
Opinion: Unlearn how to waste plastics
Article by Environmental Health News discusses increasing challenge of plastic waste driven by economic pressure and growth; recycling and bioplastics deemed ‘simple solutions’ incapable of meeting problem’s scale
Chemical metabolism in young and elderly
Scientists review studies demonstrating differences in drug pharmacokinetics between young and elderly people, recommend use of varying uncertainty factors for acceptable daily exposure calculations due to sensitivity differences