Danish consumer council finds BADGE in metal packaging of tuna as well as plasticizers in the metal closure of a tuna glass jar; none of the tested packaging products contained BPA, BPF, or BPS; all tuna fish contained heavy metals, some contained BADGE and one ATBC
Phthalate exposure in pregnancy may alter maternal hormone levels
Urinary phthalate metabolites may be associated with altered maternal serum thyroid and sex hormone levels in Puerto Rican mothers
Opinion: EDC regulation must follow science
Nature commentary by Leonardo Trasande summarizes science on endocrine disruptors; calls on European Parliament to adopt science-based criteria for identification of EDCs to protect human health
EC meeting discusses future FCM regulation
European Commission (EC) holds meeting reviewing draft regulatory texts for 15th and 16th amendment of plastics regulation 10/2011 and for plastic food contact materials (FCMs) recycling regulation; contemplates regulatory options for novel FCMs including plastics with bamboo fibers; presents specific updates and timelines for future work
Nanoparticles released by quasi-ceramic pans
Scientists measure release of titanium dioxide particles from non-stick surfaces of quasi-ceramic frying pans; find considerable migration of both ions and particles, partially in nanoform; acidic simulants and scratching accelerate migration
China criticized for screening packaged foods for coronavirus
China finds coronavirus on food packaging from 20 countries, restricts the import of food products, does not share lab results; attracts criticism from trade partners that demand end to restriction, more information on used testing methods; World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting to reconcile conflict not successful
U.S. EPA protocol for systematic review of PFAS toxicity
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency opens comment period on systematic review protocols for the assessment of five per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); comments accepted until December 23, 2019
China issues national standard for bio-materials
Sets definitions for 58 terms including “plastic”, “biodegradable plastic”, “composite”, and “polymer”; also defines process to mark and identify biobased materials; standard to become effective on June 1, 2021
UBA measures plasticizers in German rivers
Study by German Environment Agency (UBA) scientists reports concentration of 23 plasticizers in major German river basins, finds significant increases of di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DPHP), voices concern that total environmental burden from plasticizers has not changed since mid-2000s
EDC consensus paper published
Scientific consensus statement on endocrine disrupting chemicals of Berlin expert meeting now available in the journal Archives of Toxicology