European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) launched on December 8, 2016, followed by stakeholder meeting; prioritized substances include plasticizers, bisphenols, PFASs, anilines
The chemical and waste footprint of food delivery in China
Study uses online food delivery sales data from nearly 200 Chinese cities, combined with packaging samples from 18 of those cities to model packaging waste generation and chemical exposure from waste incineration; some degradation products with higher concentrations than intentionally added parent product; over 50 tons of the targeted additives likely released into the atmosphere from Chinese waste incinerators
Draft EU directive on single-use plastics leaked
EU Commission’s draft proposal to reduce plastic pollution plans banning certain single-use plastic items, making producers pay for clean-up and recycling, requiring EU Member States to collect plastic bottles
Early puberty in girls
The Wall Street Journal discusses early onset of puberty in U.S. girls; obesity and exposure to EDCs considered key factors, according to experts
Chemicals of concern in baby and toddler diet
French food safety agency assesses dietary exposure of children under 3 to chemicals; identifies 16 substances of concern and recommends reducing exposure; more data needed for substances migrating from FCMs
ECHA considers placing 7 substances on authorization list
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launches public consultation to collect additional information on substances of very high concern (SVHCs); 6 are food contact chemicals, including dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP)
Solutions to plastic pollution?
Epoch Times article: Plastic production, consumption, and pollution on the rise; direct effects on humans unknown; solutions overdue and needed
Studies investigate plastic packaging use, EDCs, and reproductive health
Recent research articles look at relationship between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from packaging and human reproductive health; find no relationship between a woman’s reported use of plastic food packaging and pregnancy duration and birthweight; identify potential non-monotonic dose-response relationship between di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) exposure and woman’s reported infertility
Plastics additives in marine environment
Scientists review occurrence and effects of plastics additives in marine environment; focus on brominated flame retardants, nonylphenols, bisphenol A, antioxidants
More retailers take part in annual ranking
Non-profit organization Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families includes 12 new retailers in annual ranking of progress towards eliminating toxic chemicals and using safer alternatives