University of Queensland opens one of the world’s first plastics contamination-controlled labs jointly with Minderoo Foundation; studies micro- and nanoplastics in human blood and tissue samples; steel walls, cotton lab coats, and extensive testing of all construction materials limits environmental plastic contamination
FSANZ: Proposal on chemical migration from packaging
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) announces stakeholder consultation for proposal ‘Chemical migration from packaging into food’; deadline August 5, 2016
Safety of nanomaterials in food and packaging
Food Standards Australia New Zealand finds no safety concern for titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide and silver in food; no migration of nano-clay and nanosilver from food packaging
EDCs and the pesticide industry
Opinion articles highlight influence of pesticide industry on the regulation of endocrine disruptors in Australia and Europe
India bans PET for certain pharmaceuticals
India phases out PET and other plastic bottles as packaging for medicinal products for pediatric, geriatric use and for use by women in the reproductive age
Parabens increase BPA exposure
Parabens inhibit several biotransformation enzymes involved in steroid hormone metabolism and chemical detoxification; study in mice shows that co-exposure with butyl paraben results in elevated internal levels of estradiol and BPA
Behavior and labeling interventions to reduce plastic pollution
Three studies research plastic labeling shortcomings, effectiveness of behavioral interventions; article recommends plastic labels should include sustainability scale, provide regional disposal instructions, and list additives; review considers bigger picture, stakeholder diversity, and several techniques to increase effectiveness of behavioral interventions to reduce single-use plastic consumption; study finds social media does not affect consumer’s intentions to recycle plastics
Plastics Pact launched in Oceania
Sixty stakeholders in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands form ANZPAC, join the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s global Plastics Pact initiative; 11th plastic pact overall, second regional pact and first in Oceania; 2025 goals include: 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable, 25% increase in plastic packaging collected and recycled by each country in the region
IARC replies to critiques
IARC scientists reply to critical commentary; point out the importance of hazard classification as an initial step in the risk assessment process, highlight the role of epidemiological evidence
Plastics Global Commitment progress report 2021
Finds global virgin plastic production for signatory brands and retailers has likely peaked; progress so far driven by recycling, but warns recycling is not the solution and elimination of single-use packaging urgently needed; separate reports find US polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle recycling rates decreasing and Australia not meeting plastic recycling targets