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
Study finds microplastics induce reproductive toxicity in male mice
Study investigates reproductive toxicity of environmental concentrations of polystyrene (PS) microplastics to male mice; further examines underlying molecular mechanism; study is first to find long-term PS microplastic exposure affects sperm quality and testosterone levels in mice
Studies investigate impacts of EDC exposure during pregnancy
Five studies examine effects following exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during pregnancy; report association between bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and preterm birth and decreased gestational age, especially upon exposure in third trimester of pregnancy; find contradicting results on fetal growth impacts from BPA; intake of synthetic progesterone by pregnant women found to double cancer risk of their offspring; propylparaben exposure found to alter mammary gland structure in mice
Web-based intervention reduces EDC exposure levels
Scientists design a web-based behavioral intervention to reduce endocrine disruptor exposure in mothers with young children; involves educational videos and games to affect diet, product use, and other habits; study finds one-month intervention significantly lowers urinary concentration of bisphenol A, triclosan, parabens, and phthalate metabolites
Studies investigate plastic packaging use, EDCs, and reproductive health
Recent research articles look at relationship between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from packaging and human reproductive health; find no relationship between a woman’s reported use of plastic food packaging and pregnancy duration and birthweight; identify potential non-monotonic dose-response relationship between di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) exposure and woman’s reported infertility
EFSA determines titanium dioxide not safe as food additive
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) releases new assessment of titanium dioxide as a food additive, could not rule out genotoxicity; change in opinion from last assessment in 2016; announcement does not affect food contact materials
ANSES prioritizes substances for EDC assessment
French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) releases list of substances of very high concern, assessment tool for identification of endocrine disruptors (EDCs); found 906 chemicals of concern, 16 substances of high priority; aim to accelerate identification and chemical assessment of EDCs part of Second National Endocrine Disruptor Strategy (SnPE 2)
Study associates phthalate exposure with postpartum depression
Research article in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism measures phthalates and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in urine of 139 pregnant women, assesses occurrence of depression four months postpartum; finds detection of phthalates linked to low progesterone levels, association with depression
Study links phthalates and lower cognitive ability in infants
New research study investigates phthalate levels in urine from pregnant women and cognitive abilities of 159 infants, find associations between high levels of phthalate exposure and slower information processing, especially in boys; determines that associations can be found much earlier than previously thought