Early life exposures to low doses of BPA studied in mice and linked to significant dose-dependent changes in animals’ biochemical response
Sludge as observatory for chemical exposure
New study proposes to assess sludge as a proxy for human exposure; improving chemical risk assessment of chemicals of emerging concern
ECHA: New database on SVHCs in articles by 2021
ECHA to launch database on presence of substances of very high concern in articles by late 2019; information to be provided by industry and available to waste treatment operators and consumers
New database on global plastics laws and policies
Civil society organizations publish database to research, track, and visualize plastic legislation around the world; hope to reach scientists, policymakers, industry, journalists; tool launched in anticipation of the global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Nairobi, Kenya in November
New research on chemical migration from plastic, paper, can coating, and reusables
Recent reports investigate whitening agents’ migration from disposable plastic containers; characterize 153 chemicals migrating from paper packaging and show estimated dietary exposure for children to per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) exceed safety threshold; detect brominated flame retardants in repeat-use food contact articles; review metal can coating literature concerning coatings types, chemical migrants, detection methods, dietary exposure, and regulatory
Safety assessment: TiO2 fluoride alumina
European Food Safety Authority publishes safety assessment of titanium dioxide surface treated with fluoride-modified alumina, finds no safety concerns for intended use in food contact polymers
Study detects PFAS across US fast food restaurant packaging
Mind the Store campaign and Toxic-Free Future collect and test 29 food packaging samples from 6 US fast food chains for fluorine levels; find that burger wrappers and containers from McDonald’s and Burger King likely treated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); paper bags used for French fries and deserts have consistently high fluorine levels
Opinion on polymers under REACH
Paul Ashford from Anthesis-Caleb consultancy discusses challenges in ‘dealing with polymers under REACH,” calls for clear guidance on substance identification of polymers; EU project aims to identify ‘polymers of concern’
Microplastics in aquatic environment
Microplastics2018 conference addresses sources, fate, effects of microplastics in waste water and aquatic ecosystems
EU launches Beating Cancer Plan
European Commission presents plan aimed to better prevent and treat cancer; includes focus on reducing exposure to hazardous substances, links to Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability; Health and Environment Alliance calls on Commission to use the plan in supporting revision of outdated EU food contact material regulations