Environmental Science and Technology feature article discusses six urgent questions to be answered to address worldwide per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances’ (PFAS) contamination and health impacts; describes importance, barriers, and ways forward for each question; emphasizes the need for cooperation, increased transparency, consideration of environmental equity; US FDA’s budget request calls for increased investment in addressing PFAS
SIN list highlights FCM chemicals
New feature allowing to filter for FCM-relevant chemicals has been added to the SIN List of hazardous substances maintained by the International Chemical Secretariat
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
EU governments consider actions on circular economy
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes literature review to find and evaluate risks that could come from a circular economy, actions the agency could take to mitigate any risks; suggests further research on exposure risks from shelf life extending materials as well as recycled, reusable, and biobased packaging; European Commission proposes ecodesign for sustainable products regulation; Ireland’s cabinet passes circular economy bill
Chemicals harm brain development
New report by the non-profit organization CHEM Trust summarizes the effects of environmental chemicals on child brain development; calls for phasing out harmful chemicals as groups, not removing them one by one
Webinar on SIN list
ChemSec hosts webinar explaining its SIN List on October 3, 2018; registration now open
Information requirements for SCIP database
European Chemicals Agency sets information requirements for upcoming database on substances of very high concern (SVHCs) in products; requires name, concentration, location of SVHC in article; notification to be required from January 5, 2021
Bottle cap liners test positive for phthalates and PVC
Toxic Free Food Campaign reports on the use of ortho-phthalates and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in cap gaskets of bottled beverages from 141 brands; finds 66% of the cap liners made of PVC and gaskets of 50 beverage brands to contain ortho-phthalates; several beverage companies respond by announcing to phase out phthalates
US FDA and EPA publish requests for information on PFAS
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asks for information on the use of fluorinated polyethylene for food contact and dietary exposure due to migration; US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks responses to specific questions to help form PFAS strategic action plan; FDA comment period open until October 18, 2022, and EPA period until August 29, 2022
SIN List update includes 20 food contact chemicals
ChemSec announces major update to Substitute It Now (SIN) List, adds 47 new chemicals including including persistent, mobile, and toxic substances, carbon nanotubes; announcement event brings together stakeholders to discuss clean circular economy