Chemicals and global burden of disease

International scientists review early-life environmental contributions to disease, identify chemical exposure as leading factor to be considered, discuss challenges, outlook

EFSA: New guidance for priority topics

EFSA’s Scientific Committee identifies priority topics requiring new guidance such as interpretation of epidemiological studies, chemical mixtures, and nanotechnologies

Epidemiology of mixtures: Xenoestrogens and breast cancer

Scientists find strong association between breast cancer risk and total burden of xenoestrogens; in contrast, individual compounds show only weak associations, if any

Tackling chemical mixtures

EFSA and RIVM host symposium on health risks of chemicals mixtures; present European and international research projects taking on the subject

Environmental chemicals and child health

Scientists review epidemiological evidence on associations between environmental pollutants and child health; find ‘moderate’ evidence for perfluorooctanoate and reduced fetal growth; literature on bisphenol A and phthalates ‘inconsistent’

Diabetes: 422 million cases worldwide

Diabetes prevalence has increased worldwide between 1980 and 2014, according to new WHO study; article discusses range of chemicals potentially linked to diabetes and obesity

Obesogenic chemicals should be avoided

Exposure to obesogens during early life predisposes for life-long obesity and associated diseases; scientists call on doctors to inform patients on the risks and mitigation measures

Opinion: Public health revolution needed

New York Times article discusses exposure to toxic chemicals and long term health effects; calls for public health revolution to prevent further spread of preventable chronic diseases

Chemical mixtures in epidemiology

Article in Environmental Health Perspective outlines how epidemiological studies can approach individual, interactive and cumulative effects of chemicals in mixtures on human health

EDC resolution: Final text available

Meeting report of 4th International Conference on Chemicals Management now available online; final text of resolution on endocrine disrupting chemicals included