15th European Bioplastics (EUBP) conference panel discusses role of biodegradable plastics in achieving climate neutral circular economy, argues application should be limited to waste collection applications; notes many composters still reject plastics, communication and clarification needed
HBM4EU finalizes second prioritization round
EU’s Human Biomonitoring Project finalizes second list of priority substances, adds acrylamide, diisocyanates, benzophenone UV filters, aprotic solvents, arsenic, lead, mercury
CEPI call for EU paper and board FCM measures
Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi) sees potential disadvantage for paper and board food contact materials (FCMs) from lack of harmonized legislation, calls for EU institutions to prioritize material type for legislation development
Limited use of phthalates in medicines, no risks from parabens
European Medicines Agency publishes draft guideline on the use of phthalates and parabens
Microplastics can lead to behavioral changes in mice
Scientists find polystyrene microplastics reduce cell viability, translocate in the body, modify mice behavior, and change their liver and brain immune markers after short-term exposure; effects potentially age-dependent; two reviews summarize nano- and microplastic impacts on fertility and potential implications
New FPF dossier: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)
FPF dossier and summarizing article explain chemistry of PFASs, provide information on their use in food contact materials, the regulatory situation and effects on human health
HEAL publishes infographics on FCMs
New series of infographics by the Health and Environmental Alliance focuses on presence of chemicals in food contact materials, toxicity, plastics, and health effects; launched in connection with the Plastic Health Summit on October 3, 2019
Study detects DNA-reactive, mutagenic substances in recycled PE, PP, and PS
119 plastic samples including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) tested for mutagenicity; no DNA-reactive, mutagenic substances in PET but in 51 of the other samples, making them unsafe, especially for food contact applications; recycling process identified as source; dataset of over 600 organic chemicals in recycled high-density PE pellets published
U.S. authorities’, CHEM Trust’s recent efforts on PFAS
U.S. EPA submits proposals for significant new use rule for long-chain PFAS, additions to toxics release inventory; Connecticut PFAS task force publishes draft action plan, proposes to evaluate requiring disclosure of PFAS in products; CHEM Trust publishes briefing on PFAS calling for urgent action on the entire family of chemicals
European industry associations report latest recycling rates
On average, 80.2% of glass packaging collected for recycling in 2022 in the EU; Steel recycling rate reaches 80.5%; 70% recycling rate for paper and board in the UK in 2023; 40% recycling rate for plastics in the EU in 2021