Emerging evidence and systematic analyses highlight adverse effects of bisphenols and phthalates on cardiovascular health; meta-analysis of US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2003-2016 finds significant association of cardiovascular disease with bisphenol A; prenatal exposure particularly detrimental; calls for more mechanistic research, evaluation of cardiovascular safety profiles for substitution chemicals
Study links phthalate exposure and thyroid function in humans
Scientific study investigates effect of plasticizer exposure during pregnancy on thyroid function; outcomes suggest several phthalate metabolites disrupt thyroid hormone levels; finds association of phthalate-alternative DINCH with thyroxine levels
Four phthalates recognized as hormone disrupting for humans
EU REACH Committee classifies DEHP, DBP, BBP, and DIBP as substances of very high concern due to their endocrine disrupting effects in humans
Microplastics: linkage to the gut's microbiome and autism spectrum disorder
Scientific study reports that gut passages change polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics morphology and alter human microbial colonic community composition; another study finds polyethylene (PE) microplastics to accumulate in the brain and induce autism spectrum disorder-like symptoms using a mouse model
EFSA assesses new plasticizer for PVC
European Food Safety Authority’s CEP Panel finds trimellitic acid, tris(2-ehtylhexyl) ester safe for use as plasticizer in soft PVC for making single-use wrap films or repeated use tubing
US National Academy of Sciences urges redo of EPA’s draft risk paper
US National Academy of Sciences criticizes EPA report on adequacy of toxicity testing for non-monotonic dose-responses
Non-monotonicity in risk assessment context
New study develops decision tree for assessing the strength of non-monotonic dose-response relationships
Symposium on Food Contact Materials Safety
International Food Contact Materials Safety Symposium in Guangzhou, China brings together academic, industry, regulatory and civil society experts to discuss developments towards safer and sustainable packaging
Toxic effects of MOSH exposure
Dietary exposure of rats to mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) fractions similar to those accumulating in humans causes increase of liver and spleen weights; clinical significance needs further investigation
Study shows oral BPA intake to be of no risk for high exposures
Soup consumption did not lead to higher levels of the active form of BPA in blood of human volunteers, BPA eliminated in urine within 24 hours