ECHA publishes information on new risk assessment method for Substances of Very High Concern based on Derived No Effect Levels
News Article
May 3, 2013
News Article
August 31, 2021
Report on residential access to recycling in the US
Sustainable Packaging Coalition publishes updated report on the availability of residential recycling in the United States for 32 types of packaging materials; steel food cans, aluminum beverage cans, corrugated cardboard, paperboard, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles accepted by > 84% of facilities surveyed; foil and rigid polystyrene (PS) had fewest recycling options; access to recycling declined since 2016
News Article
December 15, 2020
Using ToxCast data to assess food chemicals
Scientists explore the utility of-throughput screening data for hazard assessment and toxicological read-across of food-relevant chemicals; observe some biological targets to lack validated toxicity associations; demonstrate application in identifying out-of-domain compounds
News Article
July 5, 2016
Mineral oils in chocolate bars
Foodwatch study finds contamination of chocolate products and potato chips with mineral oils; call for strict limit levels in food and mandatory use of functional barriers
News Article
February 24, 2021
Presence of chemicals of concern hinder plastic recycling
Report published by civil society organization ChemSec finds eliminating chemicals of concern from plastic waste crucial for upscaling plastic recycling, realizing circular economy; companies struggling to comply with chemical requirements; report recommends phasing out chemicals of concern from new products, may open up substantial market opportunities
News Article
April 21, 2017
Plastic debris in the Arctic
Scientists demonstrate abundance of plastics fragments in the Arctic waters; far-north areas may form a final sink for plastic debris in the oceans; concerns voiced about further accumulation and effects on Arctic ecosystem
News Article
April 19, 2016
Unwanted chemicals in processed food
Washington Post reports on study linking high fast food consumption to increased urinary phthalate levels, discusses chemical contamination of highly processed and packaged foods
News Article
August 19, 2019
U.S. EPA considers phthalate risk evaluations
Agency requested by industry to conduct risk evaluations on DINP and DIDP; NGOs criticize request as attempt to block state action; public comment on the matter open until October 3, 2019
News Article
January 19, 2018
Shorter-chain PFCs may persist in human tissues
Researchers estimate internal exposure to metabolites of shorter-chain polyfluorinated compounds, demonstrate high potential for biopersistence, call for further research
News Article
May 25, 2020
UNEP report assesses plastic packaging labels
Joint report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) maps and assesses global labeling schemes and claims related to recycling and disposal of plastic packaging; recommends global harmonization of definitions, better consideration of actual local conditions, restriction of chasing arrows symbol, labels being verified with enforcement of proper use
