Recent research articles look at relationship between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from packaging and human reproductive health; find no relationship between a woman’s reported use of plastic food packaging and pregnancy duration and birthweight; identify potential non-monotonic dose-response relationship between di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) exposure and woman’s reported infertility
Phthalates and phenols may alter placenta genes
New study links prenatal exposure to phthalates and phenols to altered gene expression in placenta of pregnant women
Bisphenol A and triclosan found in maternal urine
Maternal characteristics predicting elevated urinary concentrations of BPA and TCS act in opposite direction
New FPF report: Phenolic exposure ubiquitous
New study investigates exposure to phenolic compounds in pregnant women; specific phenol exposure may depend on ethnic group
BPA disrupts regulation of feeding behavior
Scientists show that exposure to low-dose BPA during fetal development interferes with leptin and hypothalamic feeding circuitry, disrupts regulation of feeding behavior, predisposes to obesity in later life
French proposal for Bisphenol A ban enters another round
The French senate adopted a legal proposition which would ban Bisphenol A in food packaging designated for children under three years of age. All other packaging intended to come into contact with food would have to state that this product is not suitable for pregnant women and children under three. The amendments made by the senate require now adoption by the French National Assembly.
Quantifying the clean-up costs of ocean plastics
Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates $150 billion investment needed to address ocean plastic pollution, says solutions are in redesigning products upstream; Pew Charitable Trust to release report detailing cost estimates, launches initiative to find effective strategies
Review on low-dose effects of hormones and EDCs
In-depth review of low-dose effects of hormones and endocrine disrupting chemicals and their implications for risk assessment
Oligomers in biodegradable food packaging
Study of non-volatile components of biodegradable polyester and polylactic acid blend identifies 37 different compounds including plasticizers and oligomers, some seen only in migration experiments
What knowledge is missing to derive a microplastic threshold value?
Microplastic experts review mammalian in vivo effect studies and develop non-regulatory health-based screening level value for microplastics in drinking water; scientists provide research recommendations to better understand microplastic toxicity, effect levels, and potential health risks to humans and aquatic ecosystems; review discusses nanoplastics’ role in food allergy