U.S. Environmental Protection Agency opens comment period on systematic review protocols for the assessment of five per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); comments accepted until December 23, 2019
China issues national standard for bio-materials
Sets definitions for 58 terms including “plastic”, “biodegradable plastic”, “composite”, and “polymer”; also defines process to mark and identify biobased materials; standard to become effective on June 1, 2021
UBA measures plasticizers in German rivers
Study by German Environment Agency (UBA) scientists reports concentration of 23 plasticizers in major German river basins, finds significant increases of di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DPHP), voices concern that total environmental burden from plasticizers has not changed since mid-2000s
EDC consensus paper published
Scientific consensus statement on endocrine disrupting chemicals of Berlin expert meeting now available in the journal Archives of Toxicology
EFSA risk assessment of MOAH in infant formula
Rapid risk assessment uses data submitted by member states, previous Foodwatch study; finds 95th percentile exposure of 0.8 to 44.6 µg/kg body weight per day; lack of data leads EFSA to conclude possible concern for human health
Draft toxic profile for 14 PFASs
New minimal risk levels for perfluoroalkyl substances proposed by U.S. agency; comments to be submitted by July 23, 2018
Thresholds for non-intentional PFAS in recycled food packaging
Researches from Iowa State University publish study measuring limits of performance of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) concentrations in recycled paper food packaging; propose thresholds to define non-intentionally added PFAS for regulatory applications
EFSA working group on FCMs: Latest meetings
Updated meeting minutes of EFSA’s CEF Panel working group on FCMs available on EFSA’s website
California consults on 22 chemicals under Proposition 65
State’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) calls for information related to exposure and hazard identification; includes bisphenol S, PFAS, parabens, titanium dioxide nanoparticles; comments accepted until December 10, 2020
ANSES prioritizes substances for EDC assessment
French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) releases list of substances of very high concern, assessment tool for identification of endocrine disruptors (EDCs); found 906 chemicals of concern, 16 substances of high priority; aim to accelerate identification and chemical assessment of EDCs part of Second National Endocrine Disruptor Strategy (SnPE 2)