Scientific studies analyze bisphenol content in thermal papers and migrates from reusable drinking bottles; of 14 analyzed bisphenols 4 detected in thermal receipts and 3 in bottles migrates at low concentrations; dishwashing but not handwashing prior to use reduces bisphenol A (BPA) leaching from Tritan
BPA exposure and obesity
New study investigates in vivo and in vitro exposure to BPA; indicates link between BPA exposure and obesity in women
CSS roundtable publishes enforcement recommendations
Members of the high-level roundtable on implementation of the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) publishes joint report; provides ten recommendations to improve enforcement and compliance of chemicals legislation; calls for ‘whistle blower’ mechanism and support for consumer and health organizations
Hazard prioritization of printing inks and adhesives substances
Scientific study performs hazard prioritization on chemicals in printing inks and adhesives applied to plastic food packaging; uses publicly available “substances of concern” lists and an in silico tool; identifies 636 high and 1024 medium priority substances of which 696 ranked as “very high priority substances” by experts
Migration of substances of very high concern
New scientific study by the FPF summarizes use and migration of substances of very high concern in food contact materials; 5 out of 10 SVHCs regularly detected to migrate in food
2 new Substances of Very High Concern also allowed for food contact
Of the 54 new substances listed as Substance of Very High Concern under REACH, 2 are authorized for use in plastic food contact materials in Europe
Ultra-processed food intake can increase human exposure to phthalates and microplastics
Two studies analyzed ultra-processed foods for phthalates and microplastics; report that consumption of ultra-processed foods and fast food during pregnancy increases exposure to phthalates; link lower socioeconomic status to increased ultra-processed food consumption and phthalate exposure; find highly-processed protein products in the US to contain significantly more microplastics than minimally-processed products; hypothesize plastic processing equipment to be one main source
Persistence as cause of concern
Scientists review environmental implications of high persistence, argue that ‘highly persistent chemicals should be regulated on the basis of their persistence alone,’ regardless of bioaccumulation and toxicity propertie
ECHA inspection: failures to communicate SVHCs in articles
European Chemicals Agency pilot enforcement project finds 12% of inspected articles contain substances of very high concern (SVHCs) with 88% of suppliers failing to sufficiently communicate to customers; calls for improved communication in the supply chain
UV-328 qualifies for screening as POP
Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) meeting finds antioxidant UV-328 (TINUVIN-328) fulfills all four criteria for screening as Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP) under the Stockholm Convention; next step is the preparation of a draft risk profile for the widely used plastic additive