Scientists review and briefly summarize available scientific literature on each step of microplastic exposure from source to effect in humans; includes sections on sources of microplastics, exposure routes, levels, deposition in the body, and confirmed health effects; highlight current shortcomings
PFOA and PFOS hazardous to human immune system
U.S. National Toxicology Program publishes systematic review on exposure to PFOA and PFOS and immunotoxicity, concludes that both substances are presumed immune hazards to humans
Microplastic exposure through drinking cups and human health impacts
Study finds up to 6000 particles/L to be released from disposable drinking cups; scientists estimate humans ingest 37,613β89,294 microplastics through plastic cups use per year; study suggests consumption from plastic containers changes human gut and oral microbiota composition; review concludes that uptake of microplastics carrying pathogens may impact human health
BPA absorption in the mouth
Scientists compare internal levels and metabolism of BPA after gavage or diet administration; demonstrate significant buccal absorption of BPA from solid foods
Industry group challenges UN cancer classifications
American Chemistry Council launches campaign to reform WHO cancer agencyβs evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, criticizes hazard-based substance assessment
Microplastic impacts on child health: knowns and unknowns
Scientific commentary discusses pregnancy- and child-relevant exposure to and impacts of nano- and microplastics: finds 37 studies mostly on plastic particles in food and placental transfer, identifies major knowledge gaps, and advocates policymakers and industry to implement precautionary approaches; Nature Reviews Materials article proposes microplastic risk assessment framework
Human exposure to BPA systematically underestimated
New study shows that different measurement methods lead to large discrepancies in BPA human body burdens; human population exposed to higher levels of BPA than estimated using standard method; human health risk of BPA likely underestimated
IARC: Styrene βprobably carcinogenicβ
International Agency for Research on Cancer concludes that styrene and styrene-6,8-oxide are βprobably carcinogenic to humansβ
Microplastics may affect the human microbiome
Scientists explore potential impacts of microplastics on human intestine ecology; microplastics may drive unhealthy changes in the gut microbiome; authors highlight importance of assessing human microplastics exposure and hazards for the gut
About Us
About the food packaging forum At the Food Packaging Forum, we enable stakeholders to make better decisions: We share the latest science on chemicals in food contact materials and on the environmental impacts of food packaging. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEaNm2xz9O0 Why a forum on food packaging? Food is essential to health and wellbeing. And food packaging plays a critical role in the storage of food, but it also has many other important functionalities in todayβs complex, globalized food systems. Food packaging and food […]