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Over 115 health experts sign statement on safety of reuse

Greenpeace and UPSTREAM publish statement signed by wide-range of doctors and public health researchers, emphasize that reuse systems in stores and restaurants can be implemented safely during COVID-19 pandemic by following standard sanitation laws; single-use items not inherently safer than reusables

About Us Office Team

Jane Muncke

Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer

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Oligomers in PBT and PEN polyesters

Scientists characterize oligomers in polybutylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate intended for food contact; oligomer migration from PBT considered safe based on threshold of toxicological concern considerations

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Microplastics impacts on the reproductive system and offspring

Scientists report human-relevant polystyrene (PS) microplastic concentrations change mice placental metabolism; show nanoplastics have variable effects on placental enzymes using simulations; find pre- and postnatal PS microplastic exposure affects male mice testis development and fertility; recommend future research to analyze multigenerational effects

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Beyond BPA – Many bisphenols migrate from food packaging

Four studies investigate bisphenol (BP) migration from food packaging and human health effects; demonstrate wide presence of 11 bisphenols in polystyrene take-out food containers from China, Canada, and Poland; report material quality influences BPA migration from polycarbonate cups; indicate higher BPA migration from lined cans than plastic packaging into meat based on probabilistic models; find bisphenols A, F, and S induce genotoxic effects and changes in human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) expression using human blood cells

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Plastic recycling: company commitments and chemical safety challenges

Scientists report most large companies commit to reducing plastic pollution but focus on recycling; extrusion of recycled materials and legacy compounds in recycled materials as safety challenge; some substances increase others decrease with the increase in recycled content in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles; tentatively identify 212 volatile chemicals in 57 different recycled PET flakes available in China; present migration model to characterize the exposure and risk of PET oligomers

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FPF improves usability of brand and retailer initiatives database

Food Packaging Forum (FPF) updates global database of initiatives and commitments by food brands and retailers concerning food packaging safety and sustainability; database now presented as an interactive dashboard searchable by company name, type of organization, location, keywords, and date; currently contains nearly 600 actions pledged or undertaken by over 320 companies

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Survey: Shoppers prefer safe products

Safer Chemicals Healthy Families surveys consumers to understand their view on toxic chemicals in products; observes strong preference for ‘safe and healthy products free of dangerous chemicals’