Scientists from Danish Technical University (DTU) assess butylparaben according to EU guidance for assessment of pesticides; find that approach positively identifies butylparaben as endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) even with different data availability; suggest guidance could be applied to wide range of chemicals to identify other EDCs
BPA an environmental endocrine disruptor
ECHAβs Member States Committee supports Germanyβs proposal to classify BPA as substance of very high concern (SVHC) due to endocrine disrupting properties with probable effects in the environment
Definition and criteria for PSLT substances
Published report presents workshop outcomes; participants agree on definition for poorly soluble low toxicity (PSLT) particles, including titanium dioxide (TiO2); authors call for regulators to reassess current guidelines
HEAL report on hazardous chemicals in plastics
Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) publishes overview report on plastic types, additives, and associated health impacts; illustrates life cycle of contained chemicals and resulting exposures; calls for revisions to regulations to be protective, consistent, anticipatory, communicative
Call for stronger regulation on chemical mixtures
Scientists call for stronger regulation and better integration of different legislations in order to improve assessment of chemical mixturesβ risks
New Breast Cancer UK report zooms in on BPA
Charity sees compelling evidence for bisphenol Aβs role in increased breast cancer incidence, discusses financial costs of breast cancer
Stakeholder survey on EDC fitness check
European Commission publishes feedback received from targeted stakeholders for fitness check of legislation on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC); survey respondents find current lack of harmonized criteria problematic, current legislation not protecting human health and the environment
State of the science and regulation β microplastics and nanoplastics
California State Policy Evidence Consortium and DG Environment publish reports on the abundance, health effects and (potential) regulations on microplastics and nanoplastics, respectively; first finds most regulations come from California or EU and concern banning microbeads or mandating more research; second argues against a lower size cutoff of nanoplastics since the smaller the plastic particles, the more likely they can cross biological membranes
Push to ban polystyrene packaging in London
London restaurant chefs call for ban on polystyrene food packaging; UK food packaging association opposes request; recycler says focus should be on creating circular material systems
The Guardian investigates PFAS in blood, food packaging, and cookware
Journalist from The Guardian tests household items and his own blood for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in partnership with the University of Notre Dame and the Silent Spring Institute; analysis confirms presence of four types of PFAS in blood serum, 15 household products, food packaging and cookware; identified substances include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexane-1-sulphonic acid (PFHxS)