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
Updated SIN Producers List
International Chemical Secretariat updates SIN Producers List, illustrates 2016-2017 trends in production of hazardous industrial chemicals
Environmental risks of medium-chain chlorinated paraffins
Scientists review production, environmental occurrence, and toxicity of medium-chain chlorinated paraffins; substantial risks may necessitate regulatory actions
Nestlé launches packaging research institute
Swiss multinational food and drink company holds inauguration event for new institute to focus on food packaging research; focus to be placed on re-useable packaging, simplifying packaging design, transitioning to paper and biodegradable and compostable plastics
UN urges removing hazardous additives in plastics
Report by United Nations’ regional center investigates presence of toxic substances added into plastics; identifies key chemical classes and product categories of concern; calls for redesigning materials, transparent ingredient labelling, increased producer responsibility
Study detects PFAS across US fast food restaurant packaging
Mind the Store campaign and Toxic-Free Future collect and test 29 food packaging samples from 6 US fast food chains for fluorine levels; find that burger wrappers and containers from McDonald’s and Burger King likely treated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); paper bags used for French fries and deserts have consistently high fluorine levels
US FDA developing post-market assessment process for chemicals in food
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) developing assessment process for chemicals already on the market; covers food and color additives, generally recognized as safe (GRAS) substances, food contact chemicals, and non-intentionally added substances; process will be structured based on risk, divided into ‘focused’ and ‘comprehensive’ assessments; informational meeting on the proposal September 25, 2024; public comment period until December 6, 2024
Member States endorse a strong REACH revision
Ministers of environment from 8 EU Member States write open letter to EU Commission to uphold the original ambitions of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability during the REACH revision and elsewhere in EU policy; Commission should set date for when hazardous chemicals must be out of consumer products; regulations should include essential use concept, risk assessment of chemicals mixtures
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
Opportunities for chemical industry in circular economy
New report describes how the EU chemical industry can move towards a circular economy; estimates growth potential of 26%, reduction of energy consumption by 37%