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
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
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
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
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
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
ECHA adds 4 SVHCs to Candidate List
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) adds 4 substances of very high concern (SVHCs) to candidate list for authorization, includes additive potentially used in food contact polymer production and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and its salts
PP and HDPE recycling processes assessed
EFSA authorizes another process to recycle PP and HDPE crates for food contact use
Second plastics survey results
European Plastics Converters Association survey highlights continued need for improvements in quality of recycled plastics including through collection and sorting
Food cans, printing inks identified as priority products
U.S. state of Washington identifies food cans as priority products under its safer products program for being a significant source of bisphenols, highlighted as major concern for human exposure and volume used; printing inks also included as source of polychlorinated biphenyls