Article in PLOS Biology discusses hazardous chemicals in plastics; highlights chemicals as critical but often missing aspect in plastic pollution discussion; proposes rethinking current approach to plastic packaging toxicity testing
BPA exposure too low to have health effects
New study estimating BPA exposure to be safe raises opposing voices
Plastic tea bags release billions of particles
Researchers measure micro- and nanoplastics released from plastic tea bags during brewing; find over 14 billion particles released per bag, record dose-dependent behavioral and developmental effects on daphnia
Chemical cocktails harmful to human health
Danish research shows that chemical cocktails often have additive effects, thus even small doses of single chemicals are potentially harmful
EDC expert responds to WSJ editorial on BPA
The Wall Street Journal publishes a response letter to recent BPA editorial, BPA is a threat to public health
EU court confirms BPA as SVHC for endocrine effects on wildlife
Industry association PlasticsEurope loses third court case challenging legal classification of bisphenol A (BPA) as substance of very high concern (SVHC); EU General Court supports European Chemicals Agency’s recognition of BPA’s endocrine disrupting effects on wildlife
Conjugated BPA is biologically active
New study by Health Canada questions key assumption of bisphenol A risk assessment, shows obesogenic properties of allegedly “detoxified” food contact substance
EFSA publishes mixtures methodology
European Food Safety Authority launches guidance on assessment of ‘combined effects’ of chemical mixtures in food and feed
EFSA publishes final opinion and protocol for phthalates in FCMs
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes final scientific opinion on prioritization of phthalates used in food contact materials (FCMs), protocol for dietary exposure assessment of prioritized substances; documents remain largely the same as the drafts with addition of a few substances and more clarity on the prioritization process; EFSA calls for information on migration of phthalates and other plasticizers in FCMs, input being accepted from June 1 to November 1, 2022
Proposed Philippine bill targets single-use plastic waste
Manila Times editorial raises concerns about waste management in the Philippines and calls for policy discussions; discusses the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the Philippine Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption and Production, and the Extended Producer Responsibility Act; single-use plastics bill HB 507 stalling in the Philippine House of Representatives