European Commission announces new Open Research Europe platform; facilitates peer-reviewed publication process for Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe research projects; open-access publishing free for all EU project participants even after the end of the EU grant period
April 14, 2021
Californian District Court holds acrylamide lawsuits
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California grants preliminary injunction halting new lawsuits to enforce the Proposition 65 warning requirement for acrylamide in food and beverages; Californian Chamber of Commerce claims no scientific consensus, argues labels misleading consumers, unconstitutionally forcing speech; only applies to new acrylamide lawsuits; motion for summary judgment denied
April 13, 2021
US EPA reissues PFBS risk assessment
US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) reissues risk assessment on perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS); sets reference doses for chronic exposure of 0.0003 mg/kg body weight/day and sub-chronic exposures of 0.001 mg/kg body weight/day
April 13, 2021
Lidl and Colruyt trial Eco-Score label
Retailers Lidl and Colruyt announce testing front-of-pack EcoScore label; uses life cycle assessment to estimate ecological footprint based on climate change, water use, land use, acidification; considers packaging recyclability; if test-phase successful Lidl will consider implementation in all its German locations
April 12, 2021
Study links phthalates and lower cognitive ability in infants
New research study investigates phthalate levels in urine from pregnant women and cognitive abilities of 159 infants, find associations between high levels of phthalate exposure and slower information processing, especially in boys; determines that associations can be found much earlier than previously thought
April 12, 2021
Study finds 109 industrial chemicals in pregnant women
Scientists publish study in Environmental Science & Technology detecting 109 industrial chemicals in blood samples from 30 pregnant women and newborns, includes 55 chemicals never-before reported in humans; higher socioeconomic status correlates with relatively higher exposures to some chemicals; detected 42 chemicals for which no information on use was available
April 12, 2021
Green Alliance: Europe must halve resource consumption by 2050
UK think tank’s report shows culprits of current approach to resource management, suggests solutions, advocates for target to half resource consumption by 2050; provides roadmaps for specific sectors and strategically important materials; recommends identifying and setting interim goals to encourage investments in sustainable business models and infrastructure
April 9, 2021
UNWRAPPED Project releases FCM factsheets
Zero Waste Europe announces publication of nine factsheets as part of the UNWRAPPED Project; developed to help communicate human health risks associated with chemicals in food packaging; experts call for industry and policymakers to limit single-use packaging, take precautionary approach towards hazardous chemicals in food packaging
April 9, 2021
US FDA adds seven new substances to FCS inventory
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adds seven new entries to its Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substance (FCS) Notifications
April 9, 2021
We Choose Reuse campaign publishes open letter
Break Free from Plastic announces open letter as part of ‘We Choose Reuse’ campaign, demands strong political action to set up successful reuse systems; highlights current challenges such high investment and operating costs; will be delivered to officials on June 16, 2021
