U.S. State of Washington to host webinar on August 29, 2019 explaining new Safer Products for Washington bill and planned implementation; U.S. FDA to hold public workshop on September 18, 2019 providing update on development of Predictive Toxicology Roadmap
August 26, 2019
EU and U.S. approaches to NIAS
Keller and Heckman article discusses existing regulations related to non-intentionally added substances (NIAS); compares EU and U.S. approaches, outlines risk assessment steps
August 26, 2019
Chipotle restaurants defend packaging
U.S. restaurant chain Chipotle issues statement following study finding per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) in its biodegradable packaging; stricter total fluorine limits set for compostability certificate
August 23, 2019
Benchmarking in vitro toxicity of plastics
Scientists investigate in vitro toxicity and chemical composition of plastic consumer products made of different polymers; high baseline toxicity of polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastics; food contact status does not necessarily imply lower toxicity
August 22, 2019
WHO report on microplastics in drinking water
Microplastics do not currently pose human health risk in drinking water according to World Health Organization; studies however seen as limited and often unreliable; calls for standardization of analysis methods and minimization of plastic pollution
August 22, 2019
BfR opinion on EFSA’s PFOS, PFOA evaluation
German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment publishes opinion supporting tolerable weekly intake levels for PFOS and PFOA developed by European Food Safety Authority; reconfirms earlier 2008 statement that consumer health risk in Germany exists
August 22, 2019
SEA of Solutions Week and Plasticity Conference
UN Environment hosts first annual conference week focusing on plastic pollution on November 11-15, 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand; themed days to focus on different discussion topics; event aims to become key exchange platform on the issue
August 21, 2019
Recycling ocean bound HDPE for food contact
U.S. Food and Drug Administration issues letter of non-objection to Envision Plastics for use of recycled high density polyethylene waste plastic collected from rivers in food contact articles
August 21, 2019
OECD to develop sustainable plastics criteria
Report to be published by end of 2020 will offer tools to help compare sustainability trade-offs, discourage use of hazardous chemicals; OECD has multiple other plastics-related projects currently underway
August 21, 2019
Study on BPS, BPF, and obesity
Researchers investigate urinary concentrations of bisphenols A, S, and F in relation to body mass in children and adolescents; results suggest correlation with obesity; authors recommend caution when interpreting results, call for future monitoring