EU environment ministers urge Commission to speed up action on EU-wide endocrine disruptor strategy to tackle toys, cosmetics, food contact materials; clearly defined timelines requested; fitness check of relevant EU laws addressing EDCs to be launched next
Commission presents ‘European Green Deal’
European Commission publicly announces new deal to serve as roadmap for making EU’s economy sustainable; includes creation of chemicals strategy for sustainability, zero-pollution action plan, circular economy action plan, farm to fork strategy; timeline for actions published
Antimony migration in Turkish and Brazilian PET bottled beverages below TDI
Two studies assess antimony presence and migration from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles sold in Brazil and Turkey; detect antimony in almost all samples and in levels below Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI); find migration to increase with temperature, storage time, and beverage pH
Opinion: Obsogens play important role in widespread obesity
Scientist asserts in lifestyle journal that consumer chemicals are culprit of increased obesity
“Redbook” to be updated
US FDA will update “Toxicological Principles for the Safety Assessment of Food Ingredients”; publishes report on chemical evaluation process
Good Manufacturing Practices for China’s Food
Forbes reports on Chinese Food Safety law revision, review needs to address enforcement mechanisms to optimize food safety
Assessing risks of hydrophobic chemicals
Scientists argue that water-focused assessment schemes may misjudge risks of hydrophobic chemicals; sediments, particles, exposure through diet additionally play an important role; contribution of microplastics and nanoplastics uncertain but likely low
Manmade vs. natural estrogens
Article in Nature Reviews highlights different effect potential of manmade vs. natural estrogens in the case of soy and bisphenol A in a study with women undergoing in vitro fertilization
Diabetes: 422 million cases worldwide
Diabetes prevalence has increased worldwide between 1980 and 2014, according to new WHO study; article discusses range of chemicals potentially linked to diabetes and obesity
Artificial photosynthesis for making bioplastics?
US scientists develop new artificial photosynthesis system that can convert carbon dioxide into chemical products, potentially including biodegradable plastics