Marine biologist criticizes inconsistencies and unrealistic techniques used to study microplastic pollution; recommends avoiding nets for sampling, microscopes for counting; promotes using non-spherical microplastics and allowing time for elimination; researchers should focus on quality over quantity
Opinion: Food packaging, the most polluting plastic
New York Times reports on origin and environmental consequences of the great garbage patches in the oceans
Scientists oppose EPA’s phase-out of animal testing
Large group of scientists denounce U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s plans to end animal testing by 2035; dispute agency’s claims that better methods exist to predict hazards of chemicals; publish open letter available for signing
BPA substitute disrupts heart rhythm
New study on BPS toxicity presented at Endocrine Society annual meeting; finds BPS to disrupt heart rhythm in female rats
BPA: New window of susceptibility identified
Exposure during pregnancy affected mouse mothers’ glucose metabolism later in life
EU working group on FCMs: New meeting minutes
EU Commission’s working group on FCMs discusses ex-post evaluation of FCM framework regulation, supply chain survey, EU measure on printed FCMs, plastic recycling, and monitoring of mineral oils in food and FCMs
EU working group on FCMs: Meeting minutes
EU Commission’s working group on FCMs discusses fluorinated substances in food packaging, supply chain survey, roadmap for evaluating FCM framework regulation, monitoring of mineral oils, Union Measure on printed FCMs
EU working group on FCMs: Meeting presentation
EU Commission’s working group on FCMs discusses revision of ceramics directive and plastics recycling; meeting agenda and presentation now available
Nanoparticles in food linked to cancer
Oral ingestion of titanium dioxide nanoparticles induces abnormal immune responses, preneoplastic lesions in the colon; scientists call for re-evaluation of risks from oral exposure to nanoparticles
EU working group on FCMs: Latest meeting
EU Commission’s working group on FCMs discusses baseline study on non-harmonized FCMs, EU measure on printed FCMs, information transfer in the supply chain, and draft measure on BPA