European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announces public consultation period concerning draft on “scientific criteria for grouping chemicals into assessment groups for human risk assessment” of chemical mixtures; particular focus on chemicals related to food and feed safety; seeking feedback from experts in chemical risk assessment, organizations and people in the field of chemicals mixtures and food safety; comment period ends July 10, 2021
March 30, 2021
Tackling the toxics in plastics packaging
Article in PLOS Biology discusses hazardous chemicals in plastics; highlights chemicals as critical but often missing aspect in plastic pollution discussion; proposes rethinking current approach to plastic packaging toxicity testing
February 12, 2021
CHEM Trust launches chemical mixtures resources page
Civil society organization develops resources webpage dedicated to recent scientific research and policy initiatives related to chemical mixtures; provides overview and links to scientific projects and policy reports
February 10, 2021
GUTS model adapted to chemical mixtures
Study in Environmental Science Technology on adapted General Unified Threshold model for Survival (GUTS) for environmental risk assessment of chemical mixtures; includes time dimension, approach can be extended to multiple compounds, evaluate synergistic or additive interaction
February 3, 2021
Second episode of ‘Unwrapping Food Packaging’ video blog released
Food Packaging Forum publishes second episode of new video blog; discusses if low levels of chemicals migrating from food packaging are safe; introduces viewers to the concepts of non-monotonic dose response, endocrine disrupting chemicals, mixture toxicity, and timing of exposure
January 27, 2021
Scientists measure mixtures of EDCs from human placenta
Study by the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) finds chemical mixture extracts from human placenta with endocrine-disrupting properties, confirming developmental exposure to EDCs in the womb; novel method can help identify the link between chemical exposures and harmful human health outcomes
October 30, 2020
First episode of the ‘Unwrapping Food Packaging’ video blog published
Food Packaging Forum launches new video blog explaining key topics within the field of food packaging and health; host Jane Muncke introduces viewers in the first episode to fundamentals of chemical migration, low dose exposures, and chemical mixtures
June 24, 2020
FPF comments on EU chemicals strategy roadmap
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) submits feedback on European Commission’s roadmap to develop chemicals strategy for sustainability; calls for sufficient support to establish appropriate test methods, prioritize substitution of the known hazardous chemicals currently authorized for use in food contact materials
June 19, 2020
EEB priorities for upcoming EU chemical strategy
Non-governmental organization European Environmental Bureau (EEB) publishes position paper setting 8 priorities for upcoming EU Chemical Strategy for Sustainability; calls for revision of food contact materials legislation, creation of chemical substitution forums and technical support centers for small and medium sized businesses, ‘polluter pays’ tax
June 15, 2020
ChemSec webinar reviews EDCs and mixture toxicity
Recording features presentations from Leonardo Trasande on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and threshold values, from Christina Rudén on efficiently addressing chemical mixtures