Microplastics in bottled water

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

Reducing chemicals of concern in food packaging

Environmental Defense Fund encourages industry to follow best practice recommendations by Food Safety Alliance for Packaging regarding chemicals in food packaging

EFSA: Guidelines on public consultations

EFSA publishes guidelines it follows when consulting on its scientific outputs

ECHA consults on identification of 8 SVHCs

ECHA opens public consultation on proposals to identify 8 substances of very high concern; deadline for comments April 23, 2018; 5 substances relevant for food contact

ANSES to study EDCs and bisphenols

ANSES selects 36 new research projects to be conducted under French national “Environment-Health-Work” research program; includes studies on endocrine disruptors, bisphenols, micro- and nanoplastics

Opinion: Don’t undervalue plastics

UK MEP cautious about drastic measures to eliminate plastics use, highlights benefits of plastic packaging to ensure food safety and reduce food waste, calls for increased recycling and innovation to tackle plastic waste

Webinar on metabolic disruptors

Prof. Dr. Bruce Blumberg discusses chemicals that can interfere with the body’s fat metabolism in webinar hosted by Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) on March 21, 2018

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

Discussing future management of chemicals and waste

Swedish Chemicals Agency and UN Environment Programme host international conference on new strategy for chemicals and waste beyond 2020, March 13-15, 2018 in Solna, Sweden

EFSA Nano Network report 2017

EFSA’s Network for Risk Assessment of Nanotechnologies in Food and Feed contributes to draft nano-guidance; annual report now available online