Article published in peer-reviewed journal Chemosphere analyzes biodegradable paper straws for presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); tests 38 products, finds PFAS in 36, most frequently detects perfluorobutanoic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorohexanoic acid; challenges claim of biodegradability of plant-based straws
Reports highlight reuse benefits and plastics recycling shortcomings
International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) report details current recycling schemes; concludes waste management techniques not “capable of alleviating” the growing plastic pollution crisis; recommends government actions to reduce plastic production; Break Free From Plastic follows up on 215 packaging commitments from top plastic pollution producing companies: 18 projects with no information after press release, few projects lessen plastic production; Upstream compares single-use and reusable service ware for environmental impact and business cost, finds “reuse wins”
Review discusses contaminants in canned food
Scientists summarize literature on chemicals in can-packaged food including metals, plastic-associated chemicals, and furans; report generally low contaminant levels but a lack of non-targeted and suspect screenings; find canning steps, internal and external factors to influence contaminant levels
Science and statecraft at the second Plastics Treaty negotiation
Diplomats from across the globe descended on Paris, France to continue developing the UN treaty on plastics pollution; Scientist’s Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty members spoke to delegates from every continent, representing 33% of the world’s population; UN secretariat will develop INC-2 synthesis report, create zero draft by INC-3; elements for intersessional work can be submitted until August 15, 2023; INC-3 in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2023
Food packaging identified as primary source of aquatic litter
Nature Sustainability publishes research integrating litter inventories from seven aquatic environments around the globe; finds food packaging makes up the largest share of litter in all aquatic environments (50-88%), except the open ocean; of 112 litter types, 10 make up 75% of litter; top 4 items come from food packaging (44% of total): plastic bags, plastic bottles, food containers, cutlery, and wrappers
BPA disrupts regulation of feeding behavior
Scientists show that exposure to low-dose BPA during fetal development interferes with leptin and hypothalamic feeding circuitry, disrupts regulation of feeding behavior, predisposes to obesity in later life
Phthalate-alternative linked to metabolic disruption
New study shows metabolite of plasticizer DINCH induces fat cell formation
Environmental toxins and preterm birth
Video informs about cumulative effect of exposure to environmental toxins on preterm birth
Association between prenatal EDC exposures and fetal metabolism
Canadian researchers investigate association between prenatal BPA and phthalate exposures and metabolic dysfunction
Spotlight on compliance of plastic resins
Study by regulatory enforcement officers highlights insufficient compliance work by polyolefin producers on migrating substances from plastics intended for food contact