Properties of rPET-containing bottles
Scientists examine effects of recycled PET (rPET) on bottles’ properties, propose generic model to calculate acceptable rPET content for different scenarios; bottles from mono-collection systems have less particle contamination, more favorable optical properties, lower accumulation of contaminants, and therefore recommended to allow higher recycled content
Experts question US FDA’s safety assessment of recycled plastics
Environmental Health News reports on process to approve recycled plastic products for food contact; researchers quoted in the article argue that the approach is insufficient; more thorough testing and safety assessments needed
Studies investigate circular economy barriers, consumer perceptions
Recent set of articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals review current barriers in flexible plastics to achieving circular economy, recommends regulatory policies be tailored to individual steps in supply chain; consumers easily confused by plastic waste management system, recycling processes, biodegradability claims; researchers instead propose food system shift towards decentralization, shorter supply chains
Case study on different sets of EDC criteria
Industry-sponsored study assesses four natural substances using EU Commission’s different options for criteria to identify endocrine disruptors; highlights need for including potency considerations in EDC criteria
Classification of nanomaterials
JRC and partners of EU project NanoDefine develop strategy for identifying nanomaterials based on particles’ volume specific surface area (VSSA)
Discussion on polymer registration under REACH goes into 4th round
EU Competent Authorities for REACH and CLP (CARACAL) subgroup members debate on the identification of polymers requiring registration and their grouping; consider different opinions of stakeholders on group size, acceptable hazard variation within a group and options to deal with the variety of molecular weights one polymer can have; discussions to continue until end of 2021
PC-replacements: Genotoxicity of NIAS
Decision tree applied to investigate genotoxic potential of 48 migrates from ‘BPA-free’ baby bottles; more data needed for unequivocal classification
Tracking fluorinated chemicals in the body
Scientists apply radiolabeling to study internal distribution of perfluorocarboxylic acids in mice; find uptake of both long- and short-chain substances in various tissues; method broadly applicable to study PFAS distribution in body and environment
OECD on policies for sustainable plastics design
Global forum discusses design of sustainable plastics from chemicals perspective within circular economy, publishes meeting report and working paper investigating policy approaches, identifying gaps and opportunities