Collaborative group of universities and NGOs publishes PFAS-Tox Database; publicly available resource provides systematic evidence map covering 742 toxicity studies on 29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); features dozens of studies on ‘purportedly safer’ PFAS; findings show adverse health impacts studied for wide range of PFAS; experts call for class-based management of all PFAS
EC report on biodegradable plastics in open environment
European Commission’s (EC) Scientific Advice Mechanism publishes evidence report and scientific opinion, discusses potential benefits and limitations of biodegradable plastics; finds no silver bullet for inappropriate waste management or plastic littering, only for specific applications; appropriate formulation, coherent testing and certification standards needed to realize full potential
Last Week Tonight features PFAS
In a 20-minute headline story, host John Oliver discusses the history and health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); includes non-stick cookware and fast-food packaging as sources of contamination
Canada working towards zero plastic waste
Canadian government plans to establish federal plastics registry and release regulatory framework for plastic packaging; aim to improve knowledge of plastic waste, value recovery, and pollution; measures are open for comment until May 18, 2023; NGO urges government to expand ban on non-recyclable plastic packaging and take further action.
How to regulate polymers?
Chemical Watch commentary addresses the nature of polymerization reactions, provides technical background information explaining the challenges in the registration of polymers under REACH
US FDA updates to food contact inventory since August 2022
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adds 26 new entries to its Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substance Notifications (FCNs) since August 2022
Glosario
Listado alfabético de términos empleados en los temas de salud relacionados con los envases alimentarios.
ECHA 2015 REACH evaluation report
ECHA reports on evaluation activities in 2015; finds data gaps for the majority of evaluated substances of high concern; encourages registrants to update their dossiers
Stakeholders comment on EFSA’s BPA risk assessment
EFSA invites BPA stakeholders for discussion of scientific opinions on risk assessment of BPA; stakeholders from national agencies, NGOs, industry, academia comment
BPA during pregnancy affects thyroid function in newborn boys
First study to link maternal BPA exposure to neonatal thyroid function in male newborns but mechanisms remain unclear