Decision tree applied to investigate genotoxic potential of 48 migrates from ‘BPA-free’ baby bottles; more data needed for unequivocal classification
Managing SVHCs in waste for recycling
Dutch Institute for Public Health and Environment publishes guidance on substances of very high concern in waste, proposes decision tree to decide if it is safe to recycle
Taiwan to identify chemicals of concern
Taiwanese Environmental Protection Agency developing screening and assessment standards for identification of substances with food safety concerns, high hazard levels, high production volumes; draft list to be released by end of 2019
Maine publishes food contact chemicals of concern list, postpones PFAS ban
US state of Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) publishes food packaging chemicals of high concern list; mandated by state legislation and limited to 10 chemicals; DEP postpones ban on PFAS in food packaging originally meant to begin in 2022; phthalate ban went into effect January 1, 2022
Journal provides current overview of PFAS migration into food
Review highlights that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are still present in several widely-used food contact articles; PFAS migration increases with decreasing pH, increasing fat content and salt concentration of the food, the temperature, and number of repeated uses
PAHs in polystyrene FCMs
Scientists detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in polystyrene FCMs; PAHs could be formed during production or absorbed during use; PAH contamination may require special attention to ensure safety of polystyrene FCMs
Fitness check of non-REACH chemical policies
EU Commission publishes results of fitness check for EU’s chemicals policies (excluding REACH), confirms ‘high level of protection’ provided by current legislation, acknowledges implementation challenges
Fluorinated chemicals in fast food packaging in Europe
European survey looks at fluorinated substances in fast food packaging; finds levels above the limit value recommended by Danish authorities in 2015, indicative of intentional use
GenX chemicals proposed as SVHCs
New Dutch proposal calls for review of GenX chemicals as substances of very high concern in the EU; commenting period open until April 29, 2019
Study signifies potential toxicity of non-fluorinated surfactants
High-throughput screening of non-fluorinated aqueous firefighting foam finds they bind to key human protein as done by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); suggests non-fluorinated alternatives may have similar toxicity pathway as PFAS