ECHA launches European Union Observatory for Nanomaterials website; provides information on nanomaterials on the EU market for consumers, workers, regulators, and scientists
FPF Workshop 2020: FPF year in review
Martin Scheringer reviews the Food Packaging Forum’s work in 2020; discusses scientific consensus statement on food contact chemicals (FCCs) and health, ongoing projects aiming to understand contribution of FCC exposure to chronic diseases of public health concern
ECHA holds online safer chemicals conference
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) online event features 14 presentations from government agencies and industry associations, retailers; covers topics under the themes of safer chemicals, tracking substances of concern, and harmonized information for poison control centers; slides and recordings available
German packaging register online
Central German packaging register ‘LUCID’ launched; registration of packaged goods possible until January 1, 2019, when new German packaging law enters into force
FPF workshop program online
Program of FPF workshop on hazardous materials on 9 October 2014 online now; registration to open this week
PFAS are present in Vietnam FCMs, especially mochi paper trays
First study to assess per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food contact materials (FCMs) in Vietnam detects them in 16 out of 18 samples; mostly in low levels but up to 624 ng/g in mochi paper tray; authors call for more focus on Global South since PFAS research focus is mostly on the North
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
ChemSec: SIN List chemicals for Candidate List
International Chemical Secretariat responds to ECHA’s analysis of SIN List, deems current regulatory process too slow, demands adding all SIN List chemicals on SVHC Candidate List for authorization
What should be included in UN Plastics Treaty negotiations?
International negotiators prepare for first meeting to negotiate the UN treaty to end plastic pollution; scientists, civil society organizations, and governmental bodies publish reports proposing suggestions for what and how to negotiate; many reports support including controls on chemical additives as part of the treaty
Recent studies show that MNPs can negatively impact reproductive health
Studies confirm micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in human endometrial tissue, amniotic fluid, placentas, and feces of pregnant people; MNP presence in the endometrium is linked with recurrent miscarriages in humans, apoptosis in organoids, and reduced fertility in mice; higher MNPs exposure from seafood and bottled water consumption