Chemists, toxicologists collaborate to develop safer chemicals by compiling a Tiered Protocol for Endocrine Disruption (TiPED) testing, published in the Green Chemistry journal. Their goal is to eliminate the hazard of endocrine disruption, rather than attempting to control exposures as current approaches do. Certainty on absence of endocrine disruption currently can only be achieved with whole organism experiments, according to the authors.
Environmental exposures and diabetes
Scientists find parabens, bisphenols, benzophenone exposure associated with increased diabetes risk; review discusses potential mechanisms involved
Consumers want safe BPA-free coatings
New York Times reports on BPA replacements for can coatings, why alternatives are not readily available and ongoing scientific dispute about BPA’s safety
Opinion: EFSA opinion on BPA not scientifically robust
NGO suggests guidance for the evaluation of peer-reviewed articles, criticizes scientific robustness of EFSA’s scientific opinions
EU nanomaterial definition coming soon
European Commission to update nanomaterial definition by September or October 2016
Consumers concerned about microplastics
More than half of German population concerned about microplastics in food, according to survey by German risk assessment institute; 45% worried about aluminum in food packaging
Experimental verification of migration modelling
Study uses novel method for determining partition coefficients for migration from polyolefins into foodstuffs and food simulants
EFSA: Evidence use in scientific assessments
EFSA survey identifies authority’s methodological needs for use of scientific evidence in its assessments as part of PROMETHEUS project
Client Earth presents action plan on EDCs
Environmental law organization finds EU laws on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) lag behind current science, proposes specific policy and process changes to address gaps; recommends implementing REACH restrictions on all identified EDCs, automatic regulatory consequences to reduce all sources of exposure
EU Farm to Fork Strategy announces timeline for FCM revisions
European Commission publishes strategy aiming to change how Europeans value food sustainability; confirms that current EU regulations on food contact materials (FCMs) will be revised to reduce use of hazardous chemicals and support re-usable packaging solutions; proposed revision to be released end of 2022