Adverse environmental influences during childhood act through epigenetic mechanisms to increase disease rates in adults; trigger factors include stress and childhood trauma, malnourishment, exposure to toxicants
IARC: Styrene ‘probably carcinogenic’
International Agency for Research on Cancer concludes that styrene and styrene-6,8-oxide are ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’
U.S. hearing on international cancer research agency
U.S. Congress hearing on International Agency on the Research for Cancer addresses future funding; critics question agency’s scientific integrity; defenders talk of industry-lead campaign to discredit IARC’s monographs on carcinogens program
Antimony trioxide an anticipated carcinogen
U.S. National Toxicology Program’s draft Report on Carcinogens monograph supports listing antimony trioxide as ‘reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence from studies in experimental animals’
Toxic napkins
CHEM Trust revisits issue of paper napkin contamination by primary aromatic amines used in ink production, calls for improved regulation of chemicals in food contact paper and inks
Migration of nitrosamines from FCMs
Scientists develop analytical method to measure N-nitrosamines migrating from elastomeric food contact materials; 6 nitrosamines detected frequently; BfR-recommended limit exceeded for one styrene block copolymer sample
Genotoxic chemicals in coatings
Scientists compile inventory of compounds potentially used in coatings; 1,976 substances have no (recent) toxicological evaluation; subset analyzed by in silico tools and literature search, 10 compounds designated as ‘high concern’
In vitro testing of paper and board FCMs
Scientists test paper and board FCMs in 8 in vitro bioassays; all 20 samples showed positive responses in at least one of the assays; chemicals in paper and board FCMs require further investigation to ensure safety
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