Polycarbonate baby bottles contribute to increased bisphenol A serum levels in infants
G7 charter on plastics
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and UK sign plastics charter, commit to more recycling and reuse, recovery of all plastics, reduction of single-use plastics
137 chemicals in cord blood of Canadian newborns
Environmental Defence detects food contact substances in cord blood
Wendy's to phase out PFAS by end of 2021
Fast food chain Wendy’s will eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer-facing packaging in the US and Canada by the end of 2021, establish restricted substances list (RSL); faster phase-out timeline than competitor McDonald’s; public health advocates applaud fast-paced commitment, call on Burger King to take similar action
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 draft of German mineral oil ordinance
German authorities publish draft ordinance restricting the migration of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons; no limit for mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons included
BfR statement on bamboo cups and tableware
German institute for risk assessment publishes position statement on melamine-formaldehyde resins, including tableware made with bamboo fibers; warns consumers against using such tableware with hot liquids; recommends lowering specific migration limit of formaldehyde in EU regulation from 15 to 6 mg/kg
Studies report on bisphenol exposure and health effects
Review summarizes plastic-associated bisphenol A (BPA) sources, exposure, and human health risks; dietary bisphenol exposure via packaged food consumption in Saudi Arabia is potential human health concern; review discusses bisphenols’ effects on the cardiovascular system and recommends human-relevant studies with bisphenols other than BPA; consensus scoring analysis identifies endocrine-disrupting food contact chemicals potentially interacting with nuclear receptors
11th amendment to EU plastic FCM regulation
EU Commission publishes 11th amendment to plastic FCM regulation, authorizes 2 new food contact substances, changes specific migration limits for 2 existing Union List substances
Brominated flame retardants detected in Korean FCMs
Varying levels of the four major brominated flame retardants found in polystyrene food contact materials