Scientists integrate and interpret data from 8 of the 14 academic studies completed under the CLARITY-BPA project; link bisphenol A (BPA) exposure to impacts across multiple organs including brain, heart, prostate, mammary gland, ovaries; strengthen confidence in low-dose effects of BPA; co-authors to present results in webinar on July 21, 2020
Testing finds antimony in common beverages bottled in PET
Study carried out by Defend Our Health detects antimony above safe levels in 40% of tested beverages sold in PET bottles; antimony widely used as a catalyst to produce PET; calls on manufacturers to switch to widely available safer chemical alternatives, address the numerous hazardous substances that can migrate from plastics into food, chemical pollution in communities surrounding production sites
High exposure to perfluorinated compound linked to kidney, testicular cancer in humans
New epidemiological study finds association between high PFOA contamination in drinking water and kidney and testicular cancer, confirming earlier research
New loopholes with revised EDC criteria
NGO CHEM Trust criticizes Commission’s newest draft EDC criteria for persisting high burden of proof and loopholes that allow continued use of endocrine disrupting pesticides
Opinion: REACH authorization stifles substitution
NGOs ChemSec and ClientEarth criticize implementation of REACH regarding substitution of hazardous chemicals; request ‘safeguard mechanisms’ to double-check applicants’ analysis of alternatives on the market
No specific target for the reduction of plastic bag use
European Commission adopts proposal on reduction of the use of light weight plastic bags, Member states to choose target and instruments
The complexity of plastics recycling
Article by EcoWatch outlines some of the challenges in recycling plastics, deems recycling no simple solution to plastic pollution
Danish environment minister comments on EDC criteria
Esben Lunde Larsen appreciates effort, but criticizes outcome of EC’s criteria on endocrine disrupting chemicals; proposes two category approach identifying confirmed and suspected EDCs
EU environment committee votes on plastics strategy
EU Parliament’s Environment Committee supports EU Commission’s overall plans for plastics in circular economy, suggests further measures on microplastics, single-use plastics, hazardous chemicals
Compliance of FCMs in Northern Europe
Norden project on compliance of food contact materials publishes results; improved declarations of compliance needed